Manchester People - Issue 45, New Year 2011

Manchester residents are being re- minded of the importance of taking part in the Census - the official national population survey conducted once every ten years.

The Census will take place on 27 March this year, with the Office for National Statistics sending out questionnaires to around 25million households across the country.

The information gathered through the Census provides a detailed pic- ture of the people who live in England and Wales and the make-up of our local neighbourhoods.

The amount of Government funding that Manchester City Council and its partner agencies receive for services over the next ten years, and planning for those services, is based on Census figures, which explains the survey's official slogan: 'Help tomorrow take shape'.

From making sure there are enough school places to planning hospitals and other health facilities, it's essential that decision-makers understand the city's needs.

And completing the 2011 Census is compulsory, with those who fail to do so facing a fine of up to £1,000.

Sir Howard Bernstein, the Council's Chief Executive, said: "The im- portance of the Census to Manchester, and to England and Wales as a whole, can't be over- stressed. By answering a few ques- tions you will be helping to shape services for the future."

The Census asks questions about subjects including work, health, na- tional identity, citizenship, ethnic background, education, second homes, language, religion and marital status.

Information provided for the Office for National Statistics for the Census will be treated in strictest confidence and will only be used to produce sta- tistics. It will not be shared with any other Government department or organisation. Personal information will not be released for 100 years, when it will be available for your descend- ants to research their family history.

The Census can be completed on- line or by post. To find out more about the Census and what it means for you, visit www.2011.census.gov.uk