Security and confidentiality

All information collected in the Census Coverage Survey (CCS) is strictly confidential and protected by law, in accordance with the UK Statistics Authority's Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Everyone working on the census will sign a confidentiality declaration. They are required to honestly fulfil their duties and follow the requirements of the Statistics and Registration Act 2007. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in a criminal record, a fine and/or up to two years imprisonment.

Only interviewers wearing their photographic identification card will be authorised to interview householders
Every member of staff working on the survey is required to sign a confidentiality statement and only authorised personnel will handle the questionnaires
Local police will be notified that CCS interviewers are working in the area
The confidentiality of all data collected by the CCS is protected by law
Contravening the legislation could result in prosecution

The CCS does not infringe the European Convention on Human Rights or civil liberties and is voluntary. The census has been approved by Parliament and complies with all relevant legislation.