Today HM Government has commissioned the Office for National Statistics to conduct a mandatory, questionnaire-based, whole-population census of England and Wales in 2031. 

This follows the UK Statistics Authority's recommendation to Government last month for a census as part of system of population and migration statistics which combines the power of data collection and builds on the use of administrative data. 

We welcome the Government’s decision and have begun the process of designing the shape and structure of Census 2031.    

We have set up a Census Taskforce which has started scoping plans for 2031. The Taskforce will focus on delivering a census that builds on the successes of Census 2021, working with devolved governments to support coherent UK outputs and maximising the benefits from our work with administrative data to date.    

We will launch a public consultation later this autumn. This consultation will gather views on topics that users need from a system of population statistics and inform the development of the census questionnaire. 

We would like to thank everyone who has offered insight so far through various channels.