
Government confirms next census will take place in 2031
Coinciding with planned censuses in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the survey will be the 23rd to take place, having been held every decade since 1801, except in 1941 due to the Second World War.
The survey provides the most accurate estimate of the number of people and households across the country – and includes questions on topics such as age, sex, nationality and ethnicity.
Census results are used by a range of organisations including governments, councils and businesses, and underpin everything from the calculation of economic growth and unemployment to helping plan schools, health services and transport links and managing migration.
Some 97% of households completed the most recent census of England and Wales, which took place in March 2021 while the Covid-19 pandemic was still under way.
It was the first survey of its kind to prioritise the digital collection of data, with nearly nine out of 10 households completing the form online.
The 2021 census is also expected to provide £5.5 billion in benefits to central and local government and the private sector over the following decade.
Cabinet Office minister Georgia Gould said: 'The 2031 census is an important milestone providing essential insights for businesses and public services.
'It will support our delivery of a decade of national renewal – targeting public services where they are needed, managing migration and growing our economy.'
Planning for the 2031 census began last month, with the UK Statistics Authority recommending that the Government asks the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to carry out the survey.
National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency also recommended the census take place in 2031.
The decision to call a mandatory census of the population can be taken only by the Government.
But the ONS has already started its preparations and will launch a public consultation later this autumn to collect feedback on what should be included in the survey.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
Man United transfer news: Benjamin Sesko, Ollie Watkins, Corentin Tolisso and more
Manchester United face a crucial summer as Ruben Amorim finally gets the chance to shape his squad and transform his failing team into contenders at the top end of the table. It shouldn't be forgotten that Amorim initially rebuffed United's approach following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, and perhaps he was wise to try and delay the move, because what followed was a disastrous campaign cuminating in the 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final. Now Amorim has a full preseason to prepare his side and a summer transfer window to mould his squad before a season without European football, and he must take full advantage. The release of the Premier League fixtures shows a difficult start for United, with an opening game agasint Arsenal and fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea within their first five matches of 2025/26, and the manager's future could be called into question early should his side struggle. United got some early business done with the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a £62.5m deal before completing a move for Brentford star Bryon Mbeumo, but co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made clear that the money pot is not deep. Offloading high-wage players such as Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho seems key to funding the revolution, with a lack of movement causing frustration among fans as United lag behind their rivals. Here's everything you need to know about Manchester United's summer transfer plans. Areas to improve Perhaps it is easier to try and identify some parts of the team that don't need improvement. Three players could genuinely claim to have had decent seasons – Bruno Fernandes, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo – while Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Diogo Dalot all did OK in spells, but that is about the extent of United's reliable performers last season. Now that Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo's arrival are secured, the top priorities are: sign a proven goalscoring striker, given the toils of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee up front; buy a goalkeeper to compete with (or outright replace) the error-prone Andre Onana; recruit a wing-back who can excel in Amorim's system. Done deals Ins: Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford, £70m), Matheus Cunha (Wolves, £62.5m agreed), Diego Leon (Cerro Porteno, undisclosed fee), Enzo Kana-Biyik (Le Havre, free transfer) Retained: Tom Heaton (signed new one-year deal after expiry of old contract) Outs: Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan), Enzo Kana-Biyik (Lausanne-Sport, loan), Daniel Gore (Rotherham, loan), Christian Eriksen (out of contract), Victor Lindelof (out of contract), Jonny Evans (out of contract) Potential targets Benjamin Sesko, RB Leipzig Man United have reportedly begun talks with RB Leipzig over a move for much-wanted frontman Benjamin Sesko. While Arsenal have cooled their interest in the Slovenian following the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres, Newcastle are also said to be keen on Sesko. With United in desperate need of a proven goalscorer, they could deem Sesko as the man to solve their woes. Corentin Tolisso, Lyon One of the latest rumours involving United sees them linked with Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso. The 31-year-old is coming off a decent season for the French side, and could be available for a cut-price fee due to the French side's financial troubles. Concrete links are yet to materialise, but he is thought to be available for £15m. Richard Rios, Palmeiras Another one with few concrete links, but reports in Brazil claim that United are interested in Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios. United sent scouts to watch the Colombia international during the Club World Cup, with the Brazilian side hoping to start negotiations around the £30m mark, though Rios has already said yes to a proposal from AS Roma and could be heading to Serie A. Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa United's search for a striker continues and while Cunha and Mbeumo will be solid attacking options, there remains a desire to add a recognised number nine to the squad if possible. Watkins was the subject of interest from Arsenal in January but with the Gunners signing United target Gyokeres, the England international could be a valid, Premier League-proven attacking option. Villa would want at least £60m for Watkins, though links with Old Trafford have gone quiet after United wrapped up a move for Mbeumo.


ITV News
3 minutes ago
- ITV News
Starmer meets Trump in south Ayrshire for talks at Scottish golf resort
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer have met Donald Trump at the US president's golf course in south Ayrshire, Scotland, for a series of wide ranging talks on trade and global affairs. Speaking on the steps of the president's residence at his Turnberry resort, and accompanied by the sound of bagpipes, Trump hailed the deal on tarrifs he and Starmer had struck, describing US-UK relations as "unparalleled", claiming: "We want to make the prime minister happy". Trump took a series of questions from journalists upon his arrival, who were keen to question the pair on what they would be discussing during the visit. Occupying most of the president's attention was the ongoing crisis in Gaza. "I think it's one of the main reasons for our meeting," he told reporters. Starmer has come under pressure in recent days to move further and faster on recognising Palestine as a soverign state. 255 MPs from nine seperate parties have all written to the PM demanding he move to recoginse Palestine. The UK's G7 ally France also announced last week it would be recognising Palestine's statehood. Asked whether he felt recognising Palestine as a state was a necessary step towards resolving the crisis, Trump refused to take a stance, adding: "I don't mind him taking one," as he signalled Starmer. Contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assertions there was no starvation in Gaza, Trump said: "I'm looking at getting people fed right now. "Maybe that's the number one position because you have a lot of starving people." The US President claimed America had given $60 million (£45 million) in aid to Gaza already but that other countries would need to step up. Jumping in, Starmer emphasised: "It's a humanitarian crisis, right? It's an absolute catastrophe. Nobody wants to see that. He added: "I think people in Britain are revolted at seeing what they're seeing on their screens. So we've got to get to that ceasefire." Among the President's remarks was a strongly worded condemnation of Russian Presdient Vladimir Putin and the suggestion he would bring forward the deadline given to Putin to negotiate a ceasefire. "I'm very disappointed in President Putin. Very disappointed in him," said Trump. "We're going to have to look and I'm going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him to a lesser number because I think I already know the answer - what's going to happen." The US President was referring to his previous announcement in the Oval Office that he had given Putin 50 days to negotiate a ceasefire deal with Ukraine before imposing 100% secondary tariffs. Secondary tariffs would target Russia's trading partners in an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy, potentially including nations that rely on Russia for oil and natural gas. Donald Trump will also meet with Scotland's First Minister John Swinney druring his trip, at which Swinney will broach the subject of tarrifs on Scotch whisky. Speaking on Monday morning, Swinney claimed the tariffs on this industry are currently costing whisky manufacturers £4 million a week and he would use this meting to make the case for lowering them. Asked about this on the steps of Turnberry the president, who himself does not drink, said, "I'm not a big whisky drinker... We're going to take a look at it." The president will be back in the UK in just under two months when he will be hosted by King Charles during a second official state visit.


ITV News
3 minutes ago
- ITV News
Tasers issued to some prison officers after attack at HMP Frankland in County Durham
Some specialist prison officers are being equipped with Tasers from today (Monday 28 July), following an attack at HMP Frankland in County Durham in April. The Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said she is 'determined to keep prison staff safe', as the Government aims to clamp down on record levels of violence. The Taser trial follows an incident at HMP Frankland in April this year, when Manchester Arena plotter Hashem Abedi targeted prison staff with boiling oil and homemade weapons in a planned ambush. Four prison officers were injured, with three of them taken to hospital. Ms Mahmood has admitted this attack has sped up the trial of Tasers, saying the incident 'has really forced the pace on further roll-out of these measures.' Specialist officers from the Operational Response and Resilience Unit based in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, and Doncaster, South Yorkshire, will be the first to become equipped with Tasers. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood attended the base in Kidlington last Thursday, when officers demonstrated how they would use Tasers on violent inmates in scenarios where there is a significant threat to safety – such as hostage situations or riots. The trial will run until enough data has been collected to determine if Tasers should be more widely used, according the Ministry of Justice – but Ms Mahmood said she hoped to have updates in the autumn. It comes after rates of assaults on prison staff reached record levels last year, rising by 13% in the 12 months up to December 2024, according to Government data. There were also 10,496 assaults on staff in the 12 months to September 2024 – a 23% increase from the previous 12 months and a new peak. The Tasers will be worn by officers on their tactical vest in a secure holster, making the weapon visible to inmates as a deterrent, officers told Ms Mahmood last week. The Prison Officers' Association (POA) said it welcomed the move, but added the Government needed to address the roots of violence in jail. 'The POA will always support any initiative that will help protect our members,' a spokesperson for the trade union said. 'However, as welcome as this initiative is, we need to address the reasons why prison officers need Tasers in the first place. 'Violence in our prisons is out of control and apathetic prison managers would rather put the prison regime before the safety of their staff. 'We urgently need action to address overcrowding, understaffing, drugs and the other root causes of prison violence.'