Summary of RGS-IBG Population Geography Research Group response
The Census in England, which is run by the Office for National Statistics, is a nationwide survey that takes place roughly once a decade. The last census in England was in 2021 and it has recently been confirmed that the 2031 census will go ahead. Its main purpose is to create a detailed picture of the population: how many people live in England, where they live, and what their lives are like.
Before each census is carried out, there is usually a consultation process. This process enables individuals and organisations to provide feedback on what questions they feel should be asked and how the census should be conducted. In doing so, it helps to inform the development of population and migration statistics.
As members of the Royal Geographical Society’s Population Geography Research Group frequently use census data in our research, we provided feedback ahead of the 2031 census. Our key recommendations were the following:
- To collect data on incomes at small geographical areas
We would like income data to be a part of this census. This would involve income aggregates for small geographic areas. These data could then be cross tabulated with other characteristics of populations e.g. ethnicity and age to understand how incomes vary geographically and across different groups. This would give important insight into inequalities across England.
- To gather more meaningful and inclusive data on sex and gender
We would like to see changes to the ‘sex’ question to remove requirement to answer sex as designated at birth. We suggest the question be changes to capture ’sex as living/presenting’.
At the least, further ONS consultation on the specific categorisation of ’sex’ given the complexities of assigning ’sex’ as a category and avoiding a binary categorisation would be helpful to ensure inclusion of gender diverse and trans populations and enable researchers to undertake meaningful, intersectional analysis of data.
- To collect more detailed information on working from home
With the rise in hybrid working, we would like to understand more about how often people travel to work and work from home. We would also like more information on the use of rooms, specifically whether people have a home office. This information would be valuable in understanding the growth of homeworking and its implications for housing demand, space standards, transport planning, and local service provision.
Dr Hannah Slocombe and Dr David McCollum (University of St Andrews) and Dr Kate Botterill (University of Glasgow). On behalf of the Population Geography Research Group.
Population Geography 