8,000 Census Reminder Letters To Be Sent

Around 8,000 letters will be sent out next week to Jersey households who are yet to complete the census.

Census Day was on 21 March, but Statistic Jersey says they are available to help those who haven't filled it in yet.

It's done once a decade to measure the size and makeup of the population. It's also used to help plan services such as schooling and healthcare that will be needed in the future.

More than 42,000 census forms have been returned so far.

"The census response has been brilliant so far, with the majority of households having filled in their form.

"However, for us to have the most accurate picture of the whole Island, we need everyone to fill in their questionnaire. By doing so you will be helping shape the services for our Island. You can do it easily online, or by returning the paper questionnaire, but for those who want help, our census office is on hand to support.

"In fact, the census team has been supporting hundreds of Islanders who have contacted us by phone or email. Some stories have made us smile – for example householders who had forgotten to put their wife, husband or child on their census form and got in touch to make sure they were included. We’ve even had to make a few calls to people who left the date of birth blank for a family member, and were told it was because they had been too embarrassed to admit that they’d forgotten it.

"Support is also available in different languages, via SignVideo, in larger print and in Easy Read formats to ensure that the census is accessible to everyone. So, if you’ve not yet completed your census, please get in touch, we are here to help." - Ian Cope, Chief Statistician.

Anyone who needs help will their census can call 444400, email [email protected] or go online to gov.je/census

Islanders who don't complete it could be fined £1,000.

Some of the 8,000 reminder letters will go to empty properties, as the Census will help to determine the exact number of households in the island.