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Consultation and Research

The census takes place once a decade so it is vital that it asks questions which will help the government, local authorities and businesses to plan and provide a wide range of essential public services, including health, housing, transport and education.

To confirm that aspects of the census - the questions, the arrangments for census day and its results - are fit for 2011 we began an extensive consultation programme in 2004. This covers three 12-week formal consultations and other research methods.

Population and Migration Statistics (PAMS) Committee
PAMS is the official Scottish Census Advisory Group. Details of the agenda, papers and minutes from recent PAMS meetings are available on this website.

Scottish Census Steering Committee
Representatives from groups that reflect different parts of Scottish society have been invited to provide the Registrar General, Duncan Macniven, with advice on how to develop plans for Scotland’s 2011 Census.

Formal Consultations

Consultations involve a written paper inviting answers to specific questions or more general views about material being presented.

Research

Our formal consultations are supported by other work including online questionnaires, road shows, focus groups and meetings with key data users.

Census Outputs Survey and Blog

Have your say on how the next census' results should be presented by taking part in an online census outputs survey and blog.

If you are interested in attending any consultation events in the future please email us at "Census Consultation - 2011" using our Contact Form.