Sheffielders urged to complete the Census to ensure future decision making meets the needs of the city

Completing the survey helps organisations make decisions on planning and funding public services, including transport, education and healthcare.

The next Census - which happens every 10 years - takes place on Sunday March 21 and is considered even more important this year, as it will help the Office for National Statistics improve its understanding of how the pandemic has affected people.

Efforts have been made to increase the uptake of participants this year, especially those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities, in which uptake has been low for these groups in the past.

Census community advisors have been recruited to support communities, using specific engagement activities to help people overcome any reservations they may have, and to inform them of the benefits of the Census to them and their communities.

The younger generation of these groups have highlighted the following reasons for ensuring everyone participates: fears of being left out of conversations and decision making, feeling less significant, and concerns over erasure.

Census 2021 is being conducted digitally for the first time, and is available in a variety of languages.

Additional help is available in Braille, easy to read, large print and videos with BSL, audio and subtitles.

Every household in England and Wales should complete the Census on Sunday March 21, or as soon as possible after.

Not doing so may result in a fine of up to £1,000 and a visit from a census field officer can be expected.

For more information, visit here.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.