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Thank you for taking part in Census 2021. There has been a great response from residents within Epping Forest.
First online Census
Census 2021 was the first to be run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets.
This resulted in an amazing 94% of residents completing the census online.
Plan and fund public services
The census, run by the Office for National Statistics, is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every ten years since 1801, with the exception of 1941.
Understanding the needs of the nation helps everyone from central government to organisations, such as councils and health authorities, plan and fund public services across England and Wales. Census information informs where billions of pounds of public funding is spent on services like transport, education and health, cycle routes, schools and dental surgeries.
Millions of households across England and Wales made sure they count when it comes to planning and provision of the key services we all rely upon, like GP surgeries, school places and hospital beds, by filling out their online census form.
Helping charities to secure funding
Information from the census is also important in helping lots of other people and organisations do their work.
Charities and voluntary organisations often use it as evidence to get funding. It helps businesses understand their customers and, for example, decide where to open new shops. Plus, those doing research, like university students and people looking into their family history, use census data. It provides important information on population diversity, allowing organisations to know whether they are meeting their responsibilities and triggering action where necessary.
Data security
Results will be available within 12 months and personal records will be locked away for 100 years, keeping them safe for future generations.
For more information and advice on how to answer the questions:
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