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<p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics
Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>Letter from
</strong></em><strong>John Pullinger</strong><em><strong>, National Statistician,
to The Lord Blunkett, dated 10 December 2018.</strong></em></p><p> </p><p>Dear Lord
Blunkett,</p><p> </p><p>As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics
Authority, I am replying to your Parliamentary Question asking whether the next census,
due in 2021, will include questions asking about respondents (1) main language, and
(2) proficiency in English, as was the case in 2011; whether, when using census data
to inform public policy, a person’s main language will be considered to be the (a)
first language learnt, or (b) language used most frequently; and how the Office for
National Statistics might clarify terms in questions relating to language for the
2021 census, including through associated guidance notes <strong>(HL12057)</strong>.</p><p>
</p><p>The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published an update in December last
year[1] laying out the latest position on the recommendations for which topics will
be included in the 2021 Census. This included our intention to recommend main language
and proficiency in English, as was the case in 2011.</p><p> </p><p>In 2011, the guidance
notes for the main language question in 2011 read: ‘Your main language is your first
or preferred language. It could be the language you were brought up using, the one
you feel most comfortable using, the language you use at home, or the one you use
most often’.</p><p> </p><p>ONS is finalising its plans for guidance notes (including
a definition of the main language) for the 2021 Census and intends to complete this
work in 2019. For the 2021 Census, ONS will offer a wide variety of services to provide
all respondents with help and assistance to complete their questionnaires.</p><p>
</p><p>The 2011 Census was the first to gather information on main languages used
and English language proficiency. This followed a programme of research, consultation,
testing and analysis[2] to establish the most suitable questions. Data from these
questions have been used to identify people for whom English is not their main language
and to identify areas where a particular language is in use. This information helps
councils and other organisations plan support strategies and monitor the impact of
policies. Data have also been used for targeting the delivery of services, such as
language support, translation, and study programmes at a local level to promote integration
and cohesion within communities, to help eliminate discrimination, and to ensure that
people are treated fairly.</p><p> </p><p>The topic consultation[3] held in 2016 ahead
of the 2021 Census established there was still a user need for the data produced by
these questions. You may be interested to read our topic report on language[4] for
more information.</p><p> </p><p>Recommendations on the content and conduct of the
2021 Census are being put forward in a White Paper, which is planned for publication
later this year. The final topics and questions to be included in the 2021 Census
will be put before Parliament for approval, in the form of a Census Order in 2019
and Regulations in 2020.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Yours sincerely,</p><p><strong>John
Pullinger</strong></p><p><em><strong> </strong></em></p><p>[1]<a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/questiondevelopment/2021censustopicresearchdecember2017"
target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/questiondevelopment/2021censustopicresearchdecember2017</a></p><p>[2]<a
href="https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20160110072835/http:/www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/the-2011-census/2011-census-questionnaire-content/question-and-content-recommendations-for-2011/final-recommended-questions-2011---language.pdf"
target="_blank">https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20160110072835/http:/www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/the-2011-census/2011-census-questionnaire-content/question-and-content-recommendations-for-2011/final-recommended-questions-2011---language.pdf</a></p><p>[3]<a
href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/consultations/the2021censusinitialviewoncontentforenglandandwales"
target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/consultations/the2021censusinitialviewoncontentforenglandandwales</a></p><p>[4]<a
href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/censustransformationprogramme/consultations/the2021censusinitialviewoncontentforenglandandwales/topicreport11language.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/censustransformationprogramme/consultations/the2021censusinitialviewoncontentforenglandandwales/topicreport11language.pdf</a></p><p>
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