Abstract

The 2021 Census of England and Wales was a tremendous success, with a response rate of 97 percent and delivery of high-quality small area statistics and data. However, it did highlight that measuring the population once a decade has its limitations, especially as the census was undertaken during the pandemic when aspects of society were changing very rapidly.

Users of our population statistics want more frequent, relevant and ultimately better data than a census can deliver by itself. ONS has been exploring how it potentially could meet those needs through use of alternative administrative data sources, and ultimately whether further censuses are needed. In 2023 ONS consulted on proposals for a transformed population and migration statistics system, and following this the UK National Statistician made a recommendation to the UK Government in 2024 on the way forward. This presentation will outline that journey and provide the latest position on the evolution of our system, outlining some of the innovative approaches we have developed.