Fears census abstention could hit public services in Scotland’s poorest areas

The response rate in Glasgow, which has one of the highest rates of deprivation in Scotland, was 79% by Thursday last week. Photograph: Radharc Images/Alamy

Public services in Scotland’s poorest areas could be harmed by widespread abstention from this year’s census in urban areas, experts fear.

Public policy specialists and opposition parties are alarmed after it emerged that by Monday only 86% of households nationwide had filled it in, well short of the 94% target, despite a four-week extension to the deadline until 31 May.