2011 Census: 27 March 2011 - Help tomorrow take shape

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) carries out a census to find out more about the people who live in England and Wales and about the make-up of local neighbourhoods.

The next census will take place on 27 March 2011, when ONS will be sending out questionnaires for around 25 million households to complete.

The census asks about work, health, national identity, citizenship, ethnic background, education, second homes, language, religion, marital status and so on. These statistics are then used to build a picture of today's society.

Why should this matter?
Like all local authorities in England and Wales, relies on census population statistics to identify local needs for public services. Central government funding for these is directly related to how many and what kind of people the census shows live in our area. So even if the census were to end up just a few households short, it could make a very real difference to people's lives. The census needs to include everyone, everywhere - and that's why everyone has to take part.

What will you need to do?
Simple. When the time comes, you'll just need to answer a few questions about yourself and the people who share your household with you on census day, 27 March 2011. Everything you tell the census will be in strictest confidence and will only be used to produce statistics. ONS will not share your personal information with any other government department or organisation.

You'll be able to do it online. Or by post. But you must do it.

The census needs everyone to take part in helping tomorrow take shape - and this will be your chance to make a difference.

For more information, visit www.census.gov.uk