It seems like ages ago now that the 2021 census papers for England and Wales came through the door.
Told to ignore the fact huge swathes of the population were working from home due to coronavirus restrictions, those filling out the (mainly online) forms were instructed to do so as if they were still routinely going about their commute and daily business.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), which oversees the running of the population survey, has been drip-feeding the results of the March 21 2021 questionnaire.
In June, it released information about the country’s population, with England and Wales found to have increased by 3.5 million people since 2011, bringing the overall population to 59.6m.
Today (November 2) will see the next batch of information made public, with information on demography and migration to be published.
Once all the information has been released, due to be sometime in 2023, then it will give us a rounded picture of the make-up of England and Wales.
Scotland opted to delay its census by 12 months due to the Covid pandemic, meaning results for north of the border will be held up.
With fresh results coming out, here are the details behind the regular survey and what happens to those who refuse to partake in it.
How often does the Census take place?
The Census is carried out every 10 years.
The roots of census-taking in Britain can be traced back to the Domesday Book in 1086.
But it wasn't until 1801 that an official census was conducted, when the population of England, Scotland and Wales was recorded to be nine million.
However, statisticians regard the 1841 census, when each head of the household was required to fill in a form on behalf of everyone living at the address on a particular day, as the first modern census.
Except for a decision not to undertake it in 1941 due to the Second World War raging, it has happened every decade since the turn of the 19th century.
The tradition could be about to end, however.
The UK’s national statistician Sir Ian Diamond said he was looking to see whether costs could be saved by analysing data the Government already possesses, rather than asking each household to provide their information.
Costs involved with administering the Census have ballooned in recent decades.
The ONS said an estimated £906m was earmarked for the 2021 survey — nearly double the figure for 2011.
What happens if I didn’t complete my Census form?
Everybody living in England and Wales should be included in the census, so one person from every household must complete the form.
There is a legal responsibility to do so, and those who don’t can be fined.
If you or someone else in your household did not fill out a 2021 form, then it is likely you might have already heard from an official.
For a fine to be imposed, your case must go to court for non-completion of the census.
Those who refuse to complete the census can be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £1,000 along with a criminal record.
The Government says: "You must complete the census by law
"Every householder at an address is responsible for completing a census questionnaire for their household.
“The householder should either answer the individual questions for all household members or make sure each member answers their own."
The information provided will be kept confidential for the next 100 years.
Who needed to complete a census?
You or somebody in your household must have completed a census 2021 form if, on March 21 of that year, you:
- lived in private or rented accommodation
- were a student
- had a second home or empty property
- lived somewhere that was mobile, such as a canal boat or motorhome
- lived in a care home, armed forces base or similar establishment
- did not live at a fixed address
- lived in a refuge
- were in witness protection.
You were not responsible for filling in the census if you’re staying in the UK for less than three months.
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