Are you happy to take part in this exercise, never mind that it's a legal requirement that will penalise you £1000 if you forget or simply refuse to do it (even though thousands didn't take part in 2001, but less than 50 people got fined).
Apparently the costs are spiralling out of control and word is this is the last of it's kind (before they think up another way in which to keep tabs on us).
This article is from last year but with the 27th March 2011 date upcoming i thought i'd post it
2011 census creates 35,000 UK jobs - but government already counting cost
The Office for National Statistics is recruiting temporary workers for the 2011 census of England and Wales – but spiralling costs mean it could be the last
The inexorable march towards public sector job cuts will be checked at least temporarily today when a recruitment drive is launched to hire about 35,000 temporary workers to help gather and process data for the 2011 census in England and Wales.
The jobs, both full-time and part-time will be spread across the regions according to population density. The 2011 census will be held on 27 March and is set to be the biggest population survey undertaken in the British Isles, involving 25m households.
It could also be the last of its kind. Censuses are traditionally held in the second year of every decade in England and Wales, with separate surveys for Scotland and Northern Ireland. But although this will be the first time the census can be completed online, administration costs have spiralled to an estimated £480m, from £210m in 2001. Earlier this year, cabinet office minister Francis Maude announced plans to scrap the 2021 census altogether, assuming the Conservatives remain in power.
Although a third of forms are expected to be completed online, some of the 35m questionnaires will be distributed by hand and by post. Census staff will visit households that do not return the questionnaire, which is a legal obligation.
"The census is not just about counting people, the information it provides is needed to plan vital services like schools, hospitals, housing, roads and emergency services," said Glen Watson, census director at the Office for National Statistics (ONS). "We need to give people help and support to complete and return the census questionnaire and this means recruiting the right people for this important nationwide project."
Advertised roles will include census coordinators, who will help to manage local teams; census collectors, who will provide help and support on the doorstep; and special enumerators, who will be responsible for communal establishments including care homes, hotels and student halls of residence. Application details are available at http://www.ons.gov.uk.
Last year, census planners came under criticism from then-opposition Conservative shadow ministers over plans to ask respondents to disclose the number of bedrooms in each house, and details of any guests staying overnight on 27 March 2011.
For the first time, the 2011 census will also include questions relevant to civil partnerships, ask migrants their date of arrival and how long they intend to stay in the UK, and will require respondents to disclose which passports they hold.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/oc ... 35000-jobs
And, as SE13 says, the use of the data is widespread and more far-reaching (in a good sense) than people think. It's not just about the Gov't spying on us.
