Census

The draft Order in Council was laid before both Houses on 2 March, under the provisions of the Census Act 1920. It provides for the 6th statutory instrument necessary for a census to be held across the UK and includes items that require affirmative resolution by both Houses, such as questions on health, education, and national identity. The ONS's work has been informed by extensive consultation and research leading to new voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Supports the changes to the census legislation that will include new voluntary questions about gender identity and sexual orientation, making a step forward for LGBT equality. Criticises the Government's delay in reforming the Gender Recognition Act 2004. Mentions rising LGBT hate crimes since 2014, with offences against gay, lesbian and bisexual people doubling while those against trans people have trebled. Emphasises the need to address the issue of LGBT homeless youth.

The Sikh community's contribution to the UK is significant, yet they feel marginalised by the absence of a specific tick box in the census. This community has been legally recognised as an ethnic group for nearly 40 years, and data on Sikhs is crucial for public bodies to assess equal opportunities and develop anti-discrimination policies. The lack of systematic collection of health outcome data during the covid-19 crisis highlights the need for change. John Spellar argues that either a new box should be added in the census or local practices should be adjusted to properly recognise this community.

Cornwall's recognition as a national minority under the Council of Europe’s framework convention is significant, but the lack of a dedicated tick box for Cornish identity in the 2021 census undermines this status. Without such a box, there would be an under-counting of Cornish people, similar to what was seen with Welsh respondents before a tick box option was available. Mackrory argues that including a tick box is essential for accurate representation and allocation of resources.

Welsh speakers in England should be given the opportunity to identify themselves as such in the census, reflecting the diversity within Wales. Hywel Williams also supports the inclusion of a Cornish identity tick box, echoing previous arguments made by Cherilyn Mackrory and emphasising the importance of accurate representation for minority groups.

Argues for the importance of conducting an accurate census to determine population size and Member of Parliament representation. Questions how many Members of Parliament should be in place given current population estimates and seeks clarity on how the census will be conducted, including online versus paper formats, penalties for non-compliance, accessibility measures for disabled and non-English speaking individuals, and data security concerns.

Raises concern over the exclusion of a Sikh ethnicity tick box in the next census. Emphasises that Sikhs identify as a religio-ethnic community and highlights issues with current data accuracy which undermines resource allocation, policy development, service planning decisions and monitoring by public bodies. Discusses the importance of accurate representation for minority groups to address social issues such as bullying, intimidation and hate crimes.

Mr Double argued that the Cornish people have a unique historic and cultural identity deserving recognition, citing their language, flag, patron saint, and the Council of Europe's framework convention. He expressed disappointment over the lack of tangible progress since the UK Government's initial promise to recognise the Cornish identity in the 74 census, highlighting that hundreds of thousands of Cornish people live across the UK and are passionate about being recognised as such.

Ms Chamberlain emphasised the importance of inclusivity in census questions to accurately reflect societal diversity. She highlighted historical precedents, like Emily Wilding Davison's actions in 1911, and noted the significance of new questions regarding sexuality, gender identity, and veterans. Ms Chamberlain stressed that while public service delivery relies on census data, constituency boundaries are determined by electoral roll numbers, which she felt was inadequate. She also raised concerns about reaching vulnerable communities and ensuring proper representation for disadvantaged groups.

Representing the Sikh community in her constituency, Abena Oppong-Asare supports the inclusion of a Sikh ethnic tick box option in the census 2021. She highlights that approximately 6,000 people attend the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple in her constituency and that there is significant support for this change from the Sikh community across the UK. She argues that without an ethnic tick box option, Sikhs' needs will not be properly monitored by public bodies and they may face discrimination in schools, workplaces, and other areas. According to the UK Sikh survey 2016, almost one in five Sikhs have experienced discrimination in a public place or at work.

Supporting the inclusion of new questions on sexual orientation and gender identity in the census 2021, Matt Western also expresses disappointment over the exclusion of a Sikh ethnic tick box. He acknowledges the importance of updating the census to reflect current societal changes and supports the House of Lords ruling that Sikhs are an ethnic group. In his constituency, he notes the significant presence of the Sikh community and highlights concerns about proper monitoring and potential discrimination faced by Sikhs without a dedicated tick box option.

The MP emphasised the importance of including a Sikh ethnic tick-box in official data collection to address potential discrimination and ensure proper monitoring by public bodies. He questioned why an online survey showing 93% support for a Sikh ethnic tick box was not referenced in the census White Paper, and why there is no acknowledgment of research indicating that over 53,000 Sikhs were missed in the 2011 census. Shannon also raised concerns about consultations with gurdwaras and individual Sikhs, questioning whether these have been independently validated or documented.

Smith responds to questions about the draft census order, ethnic group data collection, Cornish national identity inclusion, digital exclusion and support for homeless individuals. She assures that while there won't be a specific tick-box for Sikh ethnicity or 'Cornish national identity' in the census due to prioritisation measures by ONS, communities will still have options to record their identities.

Davies interjects with an approval comment of 'Hear, hear!' following Smith's statement.

The MP thanked hon. Members for their contributions to the debate, emphasised the importance of working with the Office for National Statistics to help constituents respond to the census, and provided reassurances regarding the quality and necessity of the data collected. She highlighted the essential nature of counting everyone in the census next year for efficient resource allocation by policymakers and decision makers.