You can shape Scotland’s future

At the end of March, about 40,000 Edinburgh households will be asked to shape Scotland’s future by taking part in a rehearsal for the 2011 census.

Scotland’s census organiser, the General Register Office for Scotland, will stage the census rehearsal on Sunday 29 March in Edinburgh, Lewis and Harris.

The census is Scotland’s biggest and most comprehensive population survey. It asks about our circumstances – age, health, accommodation – and its (anonymous) results reflect our requirements as a nation, city, town or village, or as a group of people within each area.

Census statistics help the government, councils and businesses to plan and provide a wide range of public services.

Edinburgh’s rehearsal area covers ten postcodes: EH11 1 to EH11 4, EH12 5 to EH12 9 and EH14 4. It stretches from Haymarket and Viewforth to the west of the city towards the airport and Riccarton.

Households in these areas will receive a census information leaflet in early March.

Everyone working on the rehearsal has been security checked and enumerators will carry an official photographic ID card.

Anyone with doubts about the authenticity of an enumerator can contact the census helpline.

Householders are asked to complete and return their details on – or as soon as possible after – census rehearsal day. The rehearsal includes the option for most householders to complete their questionnaire online for the first time.

Need to know

For more information, phone 0845 603 1823 or visit www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk