Following the conclusion of an extensive programme of research and a three-month public consultation, the National Statistician has made a recommendation to the Board of the UK Statistics Authority on the census and future provision of population statistics in England and Wales. The National Statistician has recommended a predominantly online census in 2021 supplemented by the further use of administrative and survey data.

The Board of the Authority has accepted and endorsed the National Statistician’s recommendation. Sir Andrew Dilnot, Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, has today written to the Rt. Hon. Francis Maude MP , Minister for the Cabinet Office, to commend the National Statistician’s recommendation to the Government.

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