More help to complete Scotland’s Census as home visits begin in the Western Isles

More help is available to complete Scotland’s Census for people in the Western Isles from this week, as local field teams begin visiting homes who have not yet responded.

Following Census Day on 20 March approximately a million households in Scotland still need to complete their return, with their details accurate on that day.

Field teams will visit households to offer guidance and to advise on sources of support. For those in greatest need of assistance in the Western Isles, the option to complete their return over the phone will also be offered.

Paul Lowe, Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland (NRS), said:

“There is still time to complete your census and we are here to support those who need help. Completion of the census is a legal responsibility, and our field teams are there to provide help. Our free helpline, 0800 030 8308 also remains available to provide assistance, including for those seeking a paper questionnaire.” 

“The census only happens every ten years and its results will be important for generations to come. By taking a few minutes to answer questions about yourself, your household, and the place where you live, everyone plays a vital role in helping shape important services in your community, from the building of new schools and hospitals to improving transport links and understanding health needs.”

“Our field teams will always show formal identification, and respondents can verify their identity by calling the helpline on 0800 030 8308. They will be observing all public health guidelines and will not cross the threshold of a residence.”

Paul Lowe added: “We ask people to be mindful that during the Census, it is likely that scams purporting to represent the census may increase.

“We will never ask you for money or personal financial information. So if someone does ask you for these, you can be sure it is a scam. If you receive anything suspicious that claims to be from the census, contact us (Opens in a new window or downloads a file). More guidance is available on our website (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) "

The census asks questions on a range of topics, including the types of accommodation people stay in, household relationships, age, sex, health and employment status. New questions for the 2022 census include use of British Sign Language (BSL), passports held, previous armed forces history and new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and trans status.

Census letters have been issued to more than 2.7 million households representing 5.5 million people.

A census of the population has been taken every 10 years in Scotland since 1801, with the exception of 1941, because of World War Two and in 2021 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

For more information and to complete the census online, visit Scotland's Census Website (Opens in a new window or downloads a file).