Now the SNP in census debacle!

Another family historian here Grammaretto who has often found family members "visiting" or "lodging" on census night. I've had fun trying to figure out how these people might be connected.

You probably know, the 1921 England and Wales census was postponed for three months due social unrest and took place on 19 June 1921 rather than 24 April 1921. The form still asks for names of people present at midnight on the earlier date. I have found a handful of people who appear twice in different places so I'm guessing there must have been some confusion about which was the "snapshot" date.

I found it easy and simple and filled it in ages ago. I was insistent, because I am a keen family historian, that the exact census date, March 20th, was adhered to and as I had a visitor staying, who was travelling and hadn't filled it in before (in England) she added her details to my form.
Thus in 100 years, my gt grandchildren will wonder why an unrelated random person is on the form! And said random lodger's gt grandchildren will wonder why she was in Scotland.
I also liked being able to say I can read and understand Gaelic - my Lockdown language. (I can't speak it though)

I think part of the problem is that you had to phone for a paper copy - on hold for ages. The online one was easy and for me totally uncomplicated. The paper copy took a long time to arrive but was easy to do. They should have sent a paper copy to everyone with the option to do it online. Probably many older people like my mother (blind and nearly 87) did not have a clue how to get a paper copy. I did it for her. Those in power need to not presume everyone does things online!

I was listening to the Radio Scotland item on the Census this morning and I agree with Volver about the lack of communication. I think following on stressful times I think many people put the Cenus low on their list of priorities. Quite a few of the callers felt it didn't ask the right questions for the government to be able to focus on Scotland's needs for the future - education, transport, housing needs, etc. There was also a call from a partially sighted lady who, when completing her census form in the past, had been able to get a visit from someone who could assist her. She tried to get assistance by telephone but couldn't give the number at the top of her form so the call couldn't continue. During the last census my DD and DSIL were employed to help out by visiting anyone who needed guidance but this is not being offered this time round as far as I can gather (no doubt someone may put me right on this!!)

I've been listening to a Radio Scotland phone in this morning, I mentioned it above. There were a couple of people sounding forth about not wanting to answer optional questions about their sexuality and how nobody asked them about schools in their area. And one who objected to being asked if they were Scottish. Although he lives in Scotland

Then there were a couple of members of the public, one a former enumerator and one a psychologist, neither of them anything to do with the government, who actually had thought about it and gave some ideas for why there hadn't been a high response rate.

I just wanted to mention that so that people elsewhere didn't think the country is simmering with anger and indignation. There are actually some people who are treating this as a problem to be solved, rather than an opportunity to have a go at any particular political party.

What's that got to do with the useless Scottish census?

I think you'll find I didn't say the tories were to blame ,the only people to blame are those who didn't fill it in.
What I did say was if you think this is a debacle wait for the GE ...thats bound to be a doozy!!

Thank you Grandmabatty

Perhaps they miscalculated as the response rate in Wales was high last year but Scotland's this year seems to have been poor .

That was from Scottish census information

Scotland’s next census is to be moved to March 2022 due to the impact of COVID-19, it was announced today.

The census is a count of Scotland’s population usually conducted every ten years by National Records of Scotland and it provides vital information to inform a range of decisions on future schools, hospitals, roads and transport provision.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, Fiona Hyslop, said:

“COVID-19 is the biggest single public health challenge facing us in more than 100 years and as in many other areas of life, the ongoing disruption is impacting on the vital preparations for the census.

“Following careful consideration and on recommendation of National Records of Scotland, Ministers have informed the Scottish Parliament of their intention to move Scotland’s Census date to March 2022. This reflects the unprecedented impact which COVID-19 is having across a wide range of sectors.

“We recognise Scotland’s Census remains more relevant than ever in the current climate, as it allows important planning decisions to be made informed by the make-up of Scotland’s population.

“This decision was not taken lightly. However the quality of the census data must remain robust, and by moving to 2022 National Records of Scotland can continue to deliver a census which ensures the highest possible response rate from people across Scotland, to allow government, local authorities and key services plan for every element of public life, from building homes to NHS support.

Baggs

Callistemon21

Perhaps this has been answered but why is the Scottish Census taking place this year?

Because it didn't take place last year. If you ask why was that, I've no idea ?

I can't remember what I put for the nationality thing. Probably British.

???
I realise that!

Perhaps I should re-phrase that.
Why has the Scottish Census been delayed a year?

Callistemon21

Perhaps this has been answered but why is the Scottish Census taking place this year?

C-19

Callistemon21

Perhaps this has been answered but why is the Scottish Census taking place this year?

Because it didn't take place last year. If you ask why was that, I've no idea ?

I can't remember what I put for the nationality thing. Probably British.

Perhaps this has been answered but why is the Scottish Census taking place this year?

A lady on Radio Scotland just now who hadn't filled in the census said she didn't like the questions about sexual orientation. But there's only one and it's voluntary. Then she didn't understand how the macro numbers relate to working out how to plan local services.

I think the communications around it haven't been good.

I see. Somehow the Scottish census debacle is the Tory's fault. I should have realised

The Census was all over TV and radio for months so people should have know it was imminent ,there were leaflets put through doors reminding us a couple of weeks before.If its not been filled in there must be a reason and I dont believe its because some people thought there was no "English" on it .Although there are @ 700,000 English born residents here .
I'm quite sure they were taught to read like the rest of us.

Lets see the debacle of GE ,now that photo ID is compulsory that'll bring the numbers down and ensure a tory win .Many non tory on the breadline voters dont have photo ID .

Fair enough. A storm in a (£10 million) teacup, it seems. I shall see how the story unfolds in a month.

We filled ours in and could not believe people thought it was SNP biased . By the way I am not an SNP supporter.

Unfortunately it’s now going to cost the Scottish Government up to £10 million to extend the completion date by four weeks. Confirmed by Angus Robertson , the SNP Constitution Secretary.

I recall a discussion here last year about when to complete the 2021 census in England and Wales. I suspect it is hardwired into our thinking - especially those who are interested in family history - that the census shows where people were at midnight on a given date. Indeed, the ONS says:

The answers from past censuses give us a detailed snapshot of the population in one single moment.

census.gov.uk/about-the-census/past-censuses-in-england-and-wales

So, I think you may be right Casdon, many people do wait until the day even though I recall that the notes to the 2021 England and Wales census stated that you could submit the form earlier.

Question 22 of the 2022 Scottish census clearly shows that you can record your national identity as English.

www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/documents/scotland-s-census-2022-question-set/

I wonder if it was in Question 23 that there was no English option to tick.

23 What is your ethnic group?

Choose ONE section from A to F, then tick ONE
box which best describes your ethnic group or background
A White
Scottish
Other British
Irish
Polish
Gypsy / Traveller
Roma
Showman / Showwoman
Other white ethnic group, please write in:

There was indeed no English (or Welsh) option. I ticked Other White.

I don’t know that my mum even knows there was a census. She’s never mentioned filling in the form and it would be hard to for to phone for one because she’s deaf.

The fact that the English/Welsh/NI census was during lockdown will have contributed to the high compliance rate I’m sure, because enumerators were guaranteed to find the majority of people at home when they rang to remind them. The single busiest day for completion of online forms was still the last day on which they had to be completed, presumably people wanted to avoid the £1000 fine. It’s exactly the same with the tax returns, most people (me included) put it off to the last possible minute to submit because it’s a pain to complete.

The English/Welsh/NI one was also available online. 9/10 were completed online and in time.

its because its online theres an issue ,as already said ,Give people a form and they fill it in or send round info collecters( cant remember what they're really called) as they did in years gone by.Loads of older folk will have had problems with the online thing ,many that I know dont even have a computer or a smart phone.I dont even have a phone ...well a mobile one .