Still time to complete Census forms ahead of deadline

Aberdeenshire and the Western Isles have both now exceeded 90% and a total of 19 council areas have reached 85% as the census enters its final full week.

Angus’s completion rate currently is 86.9%.

The national completion rate stands at 2,210,265 households, with more than four in every five having completed across 30 areas.

Census returns must be submitted by the end of May; failure to do so could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000.

Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture said: “It’s great that we are seeing this increase in census response rates right across Scotland, but it is vital that we secure as high a rate as possible so that the census can be effective in delivering its many benefits for future public services. Census data informs how and where public money is spent on vital services, from the building of new schools and hospitals to improving transport links and understanding health needs.

“I would urge everyone who has not completed their census to do so before the end of May, to avoid the risk of prosecution.”

Help is available online at census.gov.scot, or by calling the free helpline on 0800 030 8308 if you have specific questions or need a paper questionnaire. Field teams have undertaken more than 1.4 million visits to households to support completion, and are carrying out community events across Scotland throughout the coming week to support census completion.