This is going to be a hot topic in the next couple of weeks. The Groan has an open thread on the matter and it is depressing just how many people think that this level of government intrusion is okay. The response to anyone who dares to point out that personal and private information is no business of government is to retort that either we are paranoid tinfoil hatters, self-important or failing in our civic duty. None of these is true. While I have no particular objection to a simple head count, I see no reason why the government should know about my ethnic background, my educational qualifications and a subjective impression of how well I feel today. Equally, religious belief and marital status are irrelevant for a head count. The suggestion that these are needed to plan for future services is risible nonsense as a simple head count is all that is necessary. And the information is out of date by the time it is published anyway. Also, as one wag pointed out; what planning?
I’m inclined to agree, therefore with Philip Johnston, writing in the Telegraph.
Most of all, the census has become far more than a simple reckoning of the size of the population and is now inquisitive to the point of prying. We will be required by law in March to provide more than 40 pieces of personal information, including religious belief and ethnic background. Questions about income and sexuality were originally proposed for inclusion but dropped as too nosey. Even so, there is a section to say whether you are in a civil partnership.
It is a far cry from the first UK census in 1801, when just five questions were asked, to establish the number of people in each household, their sex and occupation.
Quite. It has become a snooper’s charter. And as Andrew Withers reminds us, NO2ID has a list of the lies being propagated by the ONS in defence of its project.
The Tories in opposition were happy enough to make much the same points that I am making here, yet now in power do nothing about it. A simple fix would have been to have made all questions beyond name, address and age, voluntary. Then the statist obsessives could populate the database with their personal details if they wish and those of us who prefer to keep our business private could do that. Too simple, it seems. Or is it that now they are in power, they want access to all this lovely information after all, so when the complained before the were lying?
Given that the last census had around a million refusniks and lord knows how many creative responses, it is both a waste of time and a waste of money. Yes, scrap it. Preferably before 27th March 2011, but that’s too much to hope for. The only appropriate response therefore is to make this one even more useless than its predecessor, thereby sending a message to the government and the ONS – our private information is just that; private.
I’m trying to remember the rules. Isn’t it just who’s in each house who gets counted? Is it possible to avoid it altogether by being away camping that night or in transit between one place and another long enough to not have to do it? Failing that it’s Leg-iron type disinformation I think.
I wonder in what form the answers will be gathered. Tickboxes I suspect, sadly. Otherwise, I’d get Mrs M! to fill it in in Visayan.
I’m going along the misinformation route. Retired? Certainly not, I’m an odd-job man, or may be a gardener. Four bedrooms, no, there are only two with beds, I have a study and Mrs EP has a hobby room. Religion?, Well I don’t smoke, so I’ll probably be an alcoholic. Creative thinking is all the rage these days, it’s time I started. Any ideas are welcome.
I reckon it’s best to lay low and ignore it.
AE – Nah, they want you to fill it in when you get back.
The questions are mix of tickboxes and written answers.
Can I just ask who is required to fill in the census?
You said that they’ll want me to answer it when I get back.
But Shirley, if I was away within the UK, I will already be in the census – no need to fill in one for what I may, or may not, regard as my usual abode.
If I’m out of the country, then again the census is reflecting the reality of that day.
As to describing my house, place of work etc, they are likely to be disapointed as the house will be empty.
I would very much like the freeman movement to be proved legal / illegal, as their standpoint of not being subject to the whim of the politicians etc quite appealing.
More people should start considering a “JUST SAY NO” attitude to many things in life.
The householder is the short answer. In their FAQs they say that if you are away from home, you are supposed to complete it as soon as possible after your return.
Thanks for the reply.
“as soon as possible”, there’s a typically nulaba fuzzy term. They being the aerosols that expanded it.
45 minutes to fill in 40 pages? Who is going to be paying me for my time?
They just assume that they can make up whatever they want and we’ll all follow along.
LR – should have guessed it wouldn’t have been as simple as finding the biggest traffic jam on the M6 and joining the back of it. Misleadingly truthful answers seem the best bet then. Although… I have a fantasy of a census swap website where you could find a census buddy in another country with their own census coming up, swap question via email and give absolutely honest and helpful answers to the wrong people. It’s too late for this year and I’m sure it’d be shut down but it’s a nice dream.