Estimated census response rate reaches 96 per cent as non-compliance staff start work
28.04.2010
As the response to Scotland’s Census looks set to match that of the last census, people are reminded that they risk a fine of up to £1,000 if they don’t take part.
One month on from census day (March 27) the estimated response rate has reached 96 per cent – a similar response rate to Scotland’s last census in 2001.
People still to return their questionnaires are urged to do so now as non-compliance officers begin visiting households who have refused to take part. Warning letters have already been sent to around 400 addresses.
Census Director Peter Scrimgeour said:
“An estimated response of 96 per cent one month on from census day is very positive, but we continue to accept late questionnaires.
“The census supports the planning and funding of future services. Its statistical results will give the most reliable picture of the whole of Scotland. It is important that we are all included, which is why there is a legal requirement for everyone to fill in the questionnaire.
“To householders who have yet to complete and return their questionnaires, I stress the importance of acting straight away, to avoid the risk of a fine. We sent around 200 warning letters shortly after census day and half of these households have already either returned their questionnaires or asked our helpline for a replacement. We have issued a further 200 letters in the last fortnight.
“We realise that people are busy and appreciate reminders about the census. This is the last moment to act, before members of our non-compliance team start knocking on doors.”
Census questionnaires have been returned to Scotland worldwide coming from Europe, Asia and online, via smart phones (Blackberry and iPhone) and even game consoles, such as the Nintendo Wii.
The estimated response rate is based on returns received at Monday 25 April with thousands more questionnaires still arriving on a daily basis. The percentage returns by census region so far are:
Aberdeen City 95
Aberdeenshire and Moray 99
Argyll and Bute 94
Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire 100
Dundee and Angus 95
East and North Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire 98
East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire and Stirling 98
Edinburgh (two census regions) 93
Eilean Siar 95
Falkirk and West Lothian 98
Fife 97
Glasgow (three census regions) 91
Highland 97
North Lanarkshire 98
Orkney and Shetland 100
Perth, Kinross and Clackmannanshire 99
Renfrewshire and Inverclyde 96
Scottish Borders, East Lothian and Midlothian 99
South Lanarkshire 98
Scotland total 96
The estimated response rate is an early indicator of how well people have responded to the census. It is calculated by comparing the number of questionnaires returned so far with the total distributed - around 2.5 million - after allowing for the likely number of vacant properties and other properties that are unlikely to be occupied by households e.g. those that are non-residential or derelict. The details of the population of Scotland will be processed, analysed and checked for quality before census results are published in the second half of 2012. Census returns covered 96 per cent of the population in 2001.
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