100-strong 'non-compliance' team is ready to clamp down on householders refusing to complete their 2011 census forms
Householders in England and Wales who refuse to complete and return their 2011 census form could soon be getting an official knock on the door: a 100-strong unit of "non-compliance" officers hit the streets tomorrow.
Questionnaires were sent to 26 million households at the beginning of March to fill out on census day, 27 March, or as soon as possible afterwards. More than 90% of households have so far filled in the form, a figure that is rising every day, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Reminders have been posted where the census has not been returned, and since early April a workforce of 29,000 collectors have been visiting homes to offer help with completing the questionnaire. But anyone who repeatedly refuses to take part will face criminal prosecution and a fine of up to �1,000.
More than a million people were missed during the last census in 2001, but only 38 were prosecuted, and the ONS is trying to step up targeting of householders who do not fill in the form.
Glen Watson, ONS census director, said: "We are now in the final phase of follow-up and people need to act straight away to avoid the risk of a fine. We realise people lead busy lives and completing their census might not be at the top of their 'to-do' list, but the time to act is now.
"The census provides vital information to enable planners to identify future local needs for housing, roads, school places, healthcare and other public services needed by local communities. It also gives a much clearer picture of how much society is changing over time. That is why we need everyone to respond and why there is a legal requirement for everyone to fill in the questionnaire. Our emphasis has always been to help people complete and return their form as quickly as possible. Prosecution is very much the last resort."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/may/03/census-investigators-enforce-completion-2011
Facebook Snowboarding European football US economic growth and recession United Kingdom West Bromwich Albion
No comments:
Post a Comment