The 2011 national census starts shortly and has been run every 10 years since 1801.  Censuses are used to decide how much money is handed to public bodies based on how many people and the demographics of those people living in an area. Forms will start being sent out 7 March and the answers are meant to be about where people are on Sunday 27 March.

The 2001 Census run by Labour in Southwark was a disaster for Southwark in that many many thousands of people went unrecorded. Consequently Southwark Council has been receiving many tens of millions every year less than it could have received.

Hopefully Labour run Southwark has learnt that lesson and will this time round run a good census.

So when you receive the forms please do fill them in completely and get them submitted promptly. Failure to fill them in could lead to a £1000 fine and a criminal record but more importantly if you and your friends and family aren’t recorded Southwark receives much less money to run services.

If you need any help filling in the forms please do feel free to contact me or the helpline 0300 0201 101 or www.census.gov.uk.