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Census 2001:Output Classifications 

 

 

 

 

2.      Differences Between Parts Of The UK

 

2.1              The programme for selecting topics and developing questions for the 2001 Census has been co-ordinated between the Office for National Statistics (England and Wales), the General Register Office for Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Consideration was given to the public acceptability of topics, whether the questions could provide good quality data, the availability of alternative sources and the burden on the public.  The final content balances essential needs with what it is reasonable to ask the public.  Whilst the objective has been to ask the same questions across the United Kingdom, there are a number of differences resulting from the need to cater for specific customer requirements. These differences have an effect on the classifications and outputs available for each part of the UK. 

 

2.2            Household Questions

 

     Number of floors. This question will be asked in Northern Ireland only.

 

      Landlord. This question is the same for all parts of the UK, except that the response categories use local terminology. This will not affect the ability to produce comparable output at the UK level.

 

     Furnished/Unfurnished. This question will be asked in Scotland only.

 

 

2.3       Person Questions

      Country of birth.  Response categories are listed in a different order for each part of the UK.

 

      Ethnic group.  There are differences in this question between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland resulting in separate output classifications. There are also different user needs.

 

      Religion. There are differences in this question between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, resulting in separate output classifications. There are two questions in Scotland and Northern Ireland (current religion and religion of upbringing), only one in England and Wales.

 

      Language.  There are specific questions on Celtic languages asked in Wales (Welsh), Scotland (Gaelic) and Northern Ireland (Irish). England has no question on Celtic language.

 

    Qualifications.  There are differences in this question between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to reflect local requirements. In England and Wales there is an additional question asking for information on teaching, medical, nursing and dental professional qualifications. There is less of a requirement for such information in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Consequently, in Scotland there is one tick box response category asking if people have ‘professional qualifications (for example, teaching, accountancy)’. In Northern Ireland, there is no question asking for information on professional qualifications.

 

      Travel destination. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the travel destination question refers only to place of work and is asked of people aged 16 to 74 in a job the week before Census. In Scotland, the travel destination question is asked of all people and relates to the address travelled to for the main job or course of study (including school).

 

Method of travel. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the method of travel relates to travel to the main place of work. In Scotland, method of travel relates to travel to the main place of work or study. There are minor differences in the response categories across countries.

   

 

 
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 Last updated 02 January 2004
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