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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not do the follow up census?

26 replies

Lauren1983 · 20/05/2021 13:33

I know it is there to help work out which areas need which services but I filled the bloody thing out for them and tbh resent having to answer the same questions again.

I'm also uneasy about giving out details on my doorstep as I have a dispute with one of my neighbours and don't want them to know personal details, plus lots of people walk by my house in general.

In the year we've had I really think the census forms should have been paused let alone this. WIBU to just ignore them?

OP posts:
Lockheart · 20/05/2021 13:35

Do what you like, but presumably you're risking a fine if you don't?

Ostara212 · 20/05/2021 13:38

I didn't know this was a thing?

lagerandblack · 20/05/2021 13:38

What do you mean by "The follow up census"?

8dpwoah · 20/05/2021 13:41

They did a pretty bad job of collecting the actual census so I'd be cautious about engaging with them any more than is compulsory. No idea what the follow-up census actually is, though?

Original poster
Lauren1983 · 20/05/2021 13:42

I don't think there is a fine but will double check.

I don't have the leaflet they sent but it said they pick areas to go to to ask questions to make sure the census is accurate

OP posts:
MaggieFS · 20/05/2021 13:45

I don't understand what's being asked of you? By whom?

MegaClutterSlut · 20/05/2021 13:46

I had my follow up ( randomly selected addresses have follow ups) She basically asked for all names, d.o.bs, a few other questions. Not as full on as the census but still personal info wanted. It took about 10 minutes

DancesWithDaffodils · 20/05/2021 13:47

We were one of the picked roads too.
There is no compulsion to do it - I asked afterwards. But it does help them verify the data.
It's not all the questions - no academics, very little on the work stuff. Took about 10 mins for a family of 4.

Ilovemaisie · 20/05/2021 13:47

Why would your neighbours know what answers you give?

littlepattilou · 20/05/2021 13:50

Never heard of this.

Original poster
Lauren1983 · 20/05/2021 13:51

Thank you Mega and Dances

I don't think I'm comfortable with giving out our d.o.b when there is a risk of it being overheard.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lauren1983 · 20/05/2021 13:54

Ilovemaisie - they won't know unless they walk past which I know isn't a high risk but it is still one.

OP posts:
Embracingthechaos · 20/05/2021 13:57

Just ignore the door if they knock, or if you don't realise it's them and you answer it just say it's not a good time.

TellingBone · 20/05/2021 13:57

This is the Census Coverage Survey. It's voluntary.

census.gov.uk/about-the-census/about-the-census-coverage-survey

I had someone at my door yesterday wanting to ask me the same questions again "but not as many". I refused to do it.

littlepattilou · 20/05/2021 13:58

@TellingBone

This is the Census Coverage Survey. It's voluntary.

census.gov.uk/about-the-census/about-the-census-coverage-survey

I had someone at my door yesterday wanting to ask me the same questions again "but not as many". I refused to do it.

Ooooh, now I know this, I will happly refuse!
littlepattilou · 20/05/2021 13:59

*happily!

SendARavenToRiverRun · 20/05/2021 14:01

We did it. It's not compulsory as far as I'm aware.
Family of 4 and it took approx 10mins. I understand the issue with privacy but what can the neighbours do with your names and dob? (As presumably they know your address and rough age/first name).
Are you worried they may apply for credit or something dodgy in your name? I wouldn't answer in that instance then.

Original poster
Lauren1983 · 20/05/2021 14:01

I'm glad to see other people would refuse. I felt maybe I wouldn't be doing my civic duty by ignoring it.

OP posts:
littlepattilou · 20/05/2021 14:01

WTF is the point of this anyway? Confused

Surely they need everyone to be asked all of the questions again, if they want to make sure it's all exactly right/everyone gave the 'correct' responses ???

L0bstersLass · 20/05/2021 14:18

It's not illegal to refuse, but I would consider it to be unreasonable.

UnkindlyMay · 20/05/2021 14:21

How does that work? When we filled in the previous one, my daughter was with us, my son at his uni address; this week, he’s here, she isn’t, and my mother is staying with us. So the answers would be different throughout and not much use for checking accuracy.

Ostara212 · 20/05/2021 15:10

@Lauren1983

Thank you Mega and Dances

I don't think I'm comfortable with giving out our d.o.b when there is a risk of it being overheard.

I understand

Good to know it's voluntary.

LilMidge01 · 20/05/2021 15:20

@littlepattilou

WTF is the point of this anyway? Confused

Surely they need everyone to be asked all of the questions again, if they want to make sure it's all exactly right/everyone gave the 'correct' responses ???

Did you do statistics/any scientific data collection for experiments/essays at school? (Not trying to be rude but genuinely curious as to why you dont understand random sampling to calculate rough margins of error. I'm in no way scientific or statistics-inclined but pretty sure I understand that)

I think it's fine if you refuse to do it..no real civic duty issue as OP was worried...but it is a bit odd to be so anti it unless there are very specific concerns/circumstances as in OP's fear of being overheard (not quite sure why this is a concern, but appreciate OP has it)

murasaki · 20/05/2021 16:09

As said, it took about 10 minutes, it was fine. I'm glad they are at least trying to do something to check the data!

memberofthewedding · 20/05/2021 16:17

I got one of those. I simply range the number on the website and told them I was unwilling to do it. They asked why and I said that was my business.