THE CENSUS

THE 2021 census could be the last one ever carried out, the UK’s national statistician has revealed.

Prof Sir Ian Diamond ( above) said he was examining cheaper alternatives to the 10-yearly compulsory questionnaire delivered to every UK household.

The census, which has been conducted for almost 200 years, provides valuable population information to help councils and the Government plan services.

But Sir Ian said he was “hopeful” data from other sources could replace it.

What do we know about this 10- yearly bit of official nosiness?

Here are a few facts you may not have known…

THE word ‘ census’ originates in ancient Rome from the Latin word ‘ censere’ – meaning ‘ estimate’.

THE first known censuses were taken by the Babylonians nearly 6,000 years ago.

PERHAPS the most well- known census is recounted in the Bible. Luke Chapter Two, Verses One to Four, describe Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem to take part in the census while Mary is heavily pregnant with the little Baby Jesus.

THE first thorough survey of England was in 1086 when William the Conqueror ordered a detailed list of land and property, known as The Domesday Book.

A CENSUS has been held every decade in Britain since 1801 except in 1941 because of the Second World War.

IN England’s 1871 census, categories of ‘ lunatic’ and ‘ imbecile’ were added to the ‘ list of the infirm’.

IN 1911 the suffragettes encouraged women to boycott the census by staying out at all- night parties.

In 1991, up to a million people again avoided the census, which was conducted during the time of the poll tax debate, in case the Government used it to enforce the tax. BEFORE the 1951 census women were asked not to lie about their age.

DATA given in the census is protected by law and does not leave the UK. It is a criminal offence to disclose personal census data – punishable by a fine and/ or up to two years in prison.