2011 UK Census

We, at GROS, are keen to get feedback from users on any issues focussed specifically on census outputs for Scotland. While the recent online survey included some questions relating to each individual country in the UK, we would like to use this blog posting to provide users with the opportunity to expand on any particular Scottish issues. For example, we would like to know what you think went well and not so well with the 2001 Census outputs issued by GROS? What would be your top priorities for improvements to Scottish census outputs come 2011? Any thoughts on how Scottish census outputs should best interface with other data such as Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics (SNS)? - e.g. a consolidated single source of census and non-census data, or building in better links between the SNS, Scottish Government and other official statistics websites, and a 'son of SCROL'? Any other suggestions for improved or alternative ways of accessing Scottish census data?

For myself the great thing about GROS' output was that the counts were additive across all of the geographies (migration excepted).

The biggest issue was the lack of a proper CSV formatted file. ONS were able to commission a programmer to output their data in a sensible format. Unfortunately GROS were using a different version of Scrol and so were unable to make use of this. The Scottish CSV file was provided with all the geographies mixed together and was a nightmare to sort out.

Next time it would be sensible for all three census agencies to fully test the outputs with their users to ensure that this does not happen again. This issue became apparent at a very late stage which mean that remedial action became rushed or in GROS case impossible.