Census 2021

[candleflame]

We’ve had the Green Party rep call here yesterday ringing the doorbell. She wasn’t wearing a mask as she was outdoors and did step back as I answered the door.  However I wasn’t impressed ..... is it just me?

[River Tyne Lass]

I filled out my census form last Monday.  I planned to take this to the post office on Wednesday gone as I wanted to get certificate of posting as proof.  However, on Tuesday night I had a card posted through the door - someone had obviously called around when I was out.  The card was a reminder that my form had still not been received.  This also related that someone would call around again in a couple of days if I did not submit my form and there was a reminder about the up to a £1,000 fine.

I thought, blimey they are quick off the mark.  I thought posting just a few days after might have been acceptable.  Perhaps they should have made it clearer if they expected the form to be received the day after the census.

As it turned out I couldn't get a certificate of posting as the lady behind the post office counter said there is no post code and therefore one couldn't be given.
There is no sign though that I have had any more callers from the census people so I think they must have my form.

[Maiden Stone]

River Tyne Lass. Since my previous post I looked up Census 2021 Parliamentary documents on House of Commons Library online. The Census 2021 field team were to be deployed from Tuesday 23rd March. ONS were expecting 75% of population to complete returns online. I suppose efforts are being concentrated on  the remaining 25%. I got the impression that the purpose was to encourage compliance and offer assistance if required but words which come to my mind are "saturation" and  "overkill".

Scotland census has been postponed to next year. I certainly wouldn't have been queuing at a post office counter for a certificate of posting last week. Last time I was in the little shop which has a post office counter, a couple came in who weren't wearing face-coverings; shop is on main road and gets a lot of passing trade, physical distancing inside shop is difficult.   

[a chesters]

We’ve had the Green Party rep call here yesterday ringing the doorbell. She wasn’t wearing a mask as she was outdoors and did step back as I answered the door.  However I wasn’t impressed ..... is it just me?

She was a potential politician, seeking to con you. Even they should be fully aware of the proprieties, but politicians go by whatever means they can get you on their side 

[Gillg]

My census return check-up man wasn't wearing a mask, RTL.  I am half expecting another call from the same source, as I can't believe that a form posted on Monday last would have been processed within a few days.  If someone calls again I shall be making a complaint about harassment.  It feels like more pressure to do everything online.  We should be able to make a choice about how we do things (cheque/cash payments rather than online, for example).  Let's hope the vaccine passport is available on paper as well as those wretched apps.

[River Tyne Lass]

Yes, I agree Gillyg, I would prefer that we have a choice in things.  Not everyone has the internet or apps after all.

(Recently at a local bus station a notice went up telling people to check online for revised bus timetables. Some one wrote on the notice asking what those are meant to do if they have no internet.  Fair point.  I saw a staff member tear this down after looking at the message.)

I can understand, I suppose, that they want the census information fast but I hadn't expected someone coming around only two days after the census to chase things up and a card to say they would call around again in two days if necessary and a reminder of the fine.  Perhaps, this might be meant as a helpful thing but it felt to me a bit of a Big Brother/Gestapo element to it. 
They don't appear to have been around since so I wonder if the little scanner part that has to be shown in the envelope window might send a message to the government  via the post office that the form is on its way?   Or might that be too much of a Big Brother concept?  I wouldn't be surprised though.

[River Tyne Lass]

Scratch that idea of mine that a message might be relayed to the government via the postal process. 
I have just received a letter now in the post stating that they have noticed I have still not submitted my census yet.  I have!  Last Wednesday!
More warnings of the fine.  However, this does go on to say if I have submitted last week to ignore the letter.
Hopefully, they will notice that I have submitted the form soon and this might finally be the end of it.

[andrewalston]

It would be tempting to send them a Nasty Letter complaining that they STILL had not processed your census form. Inform them that dealing with any further correspondence or visits will incur your usual consultancy rates of £1000 per hour or part thereof. 

[groom]

It's about time someone asked the ONS why they are wasting money chasing up forms that are more than likely in the post.

I wonder if we will ever find out how many people are actually fined? To do that I presume they will have to take people to court and that will cost even more money!