2011 UK Census

The shows covered all parts of the Census. Output was a featured topic, but reps from other Census areas covered questionnaire development, the address register, community liaison, and field operations.

At the shows we got a chance to meet and greet, and bring everyone up to speed on the latest developments in Outputs. We covered the output consultations to date, the plans for more consultation (particularly on content) and talked about early ideas for delivery of data on the web.

The shows were well attended, feedback was good and questions were constructive. Common themes covered

• whether ONS would deliver data for a wide enough range of geographies given administrative reorganization taking place around the time of the next Census
• interest in our plans for web delivery, especially how we might allow external web services to have access to our published data - organizations are keen to participate in any trials we might set up prior to 2011
• a reminder not to overlook the need to supply large amounts of Census data on portable electronic media - this was expressed by representatives of commercial organizations and some local authority services
• a concern in London that our consultation might not have reached an audience as wide as it might. Also that many replies to our online questionnaire were from people who have used Census data a lot in the past and already have extensive and regular contact with us. Some also noted that we might not be taking enough extra account of responses from organizations with very large customer bases.

All feedback and questions from the different shows were recorded. We will collect this together and consider the range, and then start to use specific topics to raise discussions using the blog and forum.

At the shows we gave some initial feedback on user issues and questions

• we will be able to provide further information about plans for output geography in 2009 as the policy issues shape throughout the year - it is still our intention though to produce data for the largest number of geographies possible
• we hope that our web delivery proposals will meet the demands of all users, including those that need large volumes of data, but if necessary we will provide data in alternative media
• we will continue to reach out to users who may not be members of, or have access to, the special interest and advisory groups with whom we have existing regular contact. We value the opinions and views of all users regardless of group affiliation, and encourage all users to spread the word about this website as a place to learn about and discuss output plans and proposals.

If you missed the shows then more details about them are on the ONS website. Some presentations and hand out material from the events should be added there to download shortly after the final roadshow at the end of November.

If you attended the shows, and have more questions or want to provide more feedback, then add them here or head over to the forum and start a new thread in the 2008 Roadshow category.

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