Census 2021

[Gillg]

I, too, was concerned at the amount of money being spent unnecessarily on this project.  For a paper form to be processed would take some time, certainly not just a couple of days before firing off a reminder.  I was surprised that there were different codes used for the same address, too.  That would surely make matters even more complicated.

[Maiden Stone]

If I lived in England and was visited by a census person this week I would have told her/him that the census return was in the post and then closed the door. It's not my fault the Post Office cut frequency of collections & deliveries and closed premises. I probably wouldn't have answered the door. Bell doesn't work. If I spot someone going door-to-door I'd suspect them to be election canvassers  - another reason not to speak to them. 

[Copper1]

I made a point in a previous 2021 Census topic - who is the big 'cheese' who has overall responsibility for the operation? Then we would know first-hand, who is to blame for the c***-up with over zealous  reminders. BTW, doesn't a suggestion (taken as a threat) of £1000 fine amount to harassment if they haven't checked the household requested a paper form? Let's hope Lord (Ian) Botham on the cross benches takes up the case - he's had tremendous success with getting the BBC to rescind their threats to over 75's refusing to pay for former free tv licenses.
PS Got my reminder letter today and it went straight into the shredder.

[Roobarb]

Today I received a census reminder in the post, later in the afternoon I saw a man in the street dressed like Gillg described, he was looking at a clipboard then knocked at my door. He told me that he was from the ONS, when he asked about my form I told him I'd posted it on Monday. He put some details into his electronic device. I commented that they've started a bit early, he said that quite a number of people have said that they only received their form today. I was quite happy that he was genuine (and I have a suspicious nature!) . When I thought about it afterwards I realised it was actually Tuesday when I posted it, not Monday. Oh well.

[suey]

I requested a paper census 10 days before the day. Nothing had arrived by the Sunday so did it all on-line.   

If the paper census does ever turn up, I will let you all know. 

Regards 

Chas

Our paper copy arrived yesterday.  Our post lately has been dire, different postman every day and neighbours receiving each others mail.

[Kiltpin]

I requested a paper census 10 days before the day. Nothing had arrived by the Sunday so did it all on-line.   

If the paper census does ever turn up, I will let you all know. 

Regards 

Chas

Our paper copy arrived yesterday.  Our post lately has been dire, different postman every day and neighbours receiving each others mail.

 

Seven days later and still nothing. My wife and I take it in turns (every 15 minutes) to check the mailbox hanging on the back of the door.   

Oh cruel fate!   

Nothing - even junk mail would give some relief ... 

Regards 

Chas

[Copper1]

Tsk, tsk. ONS. Summing up for me, I applied for a paper form 11th March. Nothing arrived by Friday19th, so I sent THEM a reminder. Little was I to know it would be delivered Saturday morning(20th). Form posted Sunday pm(21st). Then, Wednesday last, the second one arrived - I shall keep that as a souvenir. I've already had a reminder letter the form was still outstanding, but was it for the first one, or the second!?
ONS and no doubt, the highly paid civil servant in charge, had 10 years to get the system in-gear, so that they recorded on their database when a household had requested and supplied with a paper form. Presumably, he/she will soon be quietly retired and given a 'Gong' in appreciation.

[Maiden Stone]

If I lived in England and was visited by a census person this week I would have told her/him that the census return was in the post and then closed the door. It's not my fault the Post Office cut frequency of collections & deliveries and closed premises. I probably wouldn't have answered the door. Bell doesn't work. If I spot someone going door-to-door I'd suspect them to be election canvassers  - another reason not to speak to them.

Another reason not to answer the door to unexpected callers is to limit face-to-face contact with people, as we've been ordered to do for the past year. I'd consider a visit from a census official a day after I'd posted the census return, or even during that week, to be unnecessary contact, as well as excess officialdom bordering on harassment.
There may be targets for the organisers to hit. I'll blame it on targets and algorithms; common-sense goes out the window.
 
 

[Roobarb]

The man who came to my door was wearing a mask and he stood well back from the door. Luckily I knew who he was from Gillg's description, if I think someone is selling something I just ignore them, both now and pre pandemic times.