Last call for census returns comes with fine warning

Households which don’t fill in the census by May 1 may face prosecution, the Scottish Government has warned, as it makes a final call for returns.

It recently emerged that one million people across Scotland had failed to fill in their  form — either online or on paper — by the official census day on March 20.

A census of the population has been taken every 10 years in Scotland since 1801, with the exception of 1941, because of World War Two, and in 2021 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Failure to fill in your census could lead to a criminal record and a fine of up to £1,000.

With only weeks left to submit responses, National Records of Scotland chief executive Paul Lowe warns that people who have yet to complete theirs may be subject to prosecution.

“Taking part in the census is a legal responsibility,” Mr Lowe said.

“The census provides vital information required to invest in and run the services we all rely on.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has filled in their census. For anyone who has yet to complete it, help and support is available on the website census.gov.scot or via our free helpline on 0800 030 8308. Anyone who hasn’t completed it could be facing a fine, so I would strongly urge everyone to make use of our support.”