By taking part in the census, residents will be helping in making decisions on services that shape Ealing’s community, such as healthcare, education and transport.

The census is a unique survey that happens every 10 years. It gives a snapshot of all the people and households in England and Wales and provides the most detailed information available about our society.

Census Day is Sunday, 21 March 2021. Every household will have received a letter in the post with a unique access code to complete the questionnaire online. You can use this to fill in your online census return as soon as you receive it.

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: "I urge you to fill in your census questionnaire. Without the information you share, it would be more difficult to understand the needs of your community and the wider borough to plan and fund public services."

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) runs the census in England and Wales and is independent from government. Your details are protected by law and information published is always anonymous. This means that government or local council officers cannot see the information you provide on your census form.

The census asks you about your ethnicity, national identity and a voluntary question about your religion.

If you do not feel comfortable identifying on the same form as the rest of your household, you can request an individual census questionnaire and answer separately.

The ONS aim to make things as easy as possible for everyone, but if you need help taking part in the census, there is a wide range of support services available.

You can request support for yourself, or someone else, including:

• Guidance and help in many languages and formats
• A paper version of the questionnaire, if you prefer
• Accessible census guidance, for example, in braille.