His Majesty's 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.  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.    

A public consultation will be launched 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. 

For any questions please contact outreach.engagement.comms@ons.gov.uk 

To read the announcement go to:

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKONS/bulletins/3e967fc

HM Government commissions census in 2031