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Census ‘could miss thousands of migrants’
Ross Lydall25 Sep 2009
A search for thousands of “hidden” Londoners not on the official population register is under fire for failing to get to grips with the scale of migration.
The capital's political leaders fear the next national census, to be carried out in 2011 at a cost of £480 million, will again fail to count tens of thousands of people living in London.
A trial count will be undertaken in Newham on 11 October to test new procedures. Forms will be sent by mail rather than being hand delivered and doorstep calls will be made to households that fail to respond.
But a coalition of local authorities has warned that the changes just amount to “tinkering round the edges” and will result in more flawed data.
Melvyn Caplan, Westminster council's cabinet member for finance, said: “The Government's handling of migrant figures has been shambolic and at huge cost to local authorities.
“Their attempts to produce accurate population figures have so far been too slow and hopelessly inadequate. The Government seems simply to be stirring the same pot of flawed data.” The 2001 census put Westminster's population at 181,000, but a Mori survey estimated it at 215,000 and council tax and electoral registers suggested 236,000.
Westminster's concerns are shared by London Councils, which represents the 33 boroughs, and Mayor Boris Johnson. The Office of National Statistics adjusted figures in 15 local authorities, including Southwark and Wandsworth, after the 2001 census.
Almost one million people in England and Wales were thought to have been missed by the initial count. Part-time residents, people sharing a home and short-term migrants are often missed.
This results in councils receiving millions less in government grants. Westminster claims to have lost £6 million a year for services.
In the Newham pilot, forms will be sent to 38,000 homes. Up to 103 staff will chase up those that do not respond.
A census spokeswoman said the number of door-to-door checkers had increased substantially since 2001.
Reader views (7)
I never even received a form for the last national census so what are the chances that this will be a proper representation of people living in London?
- Bob, Cheam, 28/09/2009 13:36
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As far as I'm concerned migrants shouldn't count anyway!
- Steve, London, 28/09/2009 11:41
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As few as that?! And that's not even counting those living with stolen identities . . .
- Roz, France, 25/09/2009 11:44
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I bet there are millions more people in London than the census suggests. The census only records those willing to give their details, there is little or no duress. The same with ID cards and car tax. None of these ever record or catch those wishing to remain anonymous, and their anonymity doesn't prevent them from getting all the benefits and the free healthcare.
- Squiz, Islington, 25/09/2009 10:19
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They will miss out on counting the illegal immigrants for the simple reason they will NOT be able to find them.
WELCOME TO THIRD WORLD BANANA REPUBLIC POLICE STATE UK.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 25/09/2009 09:58
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What you want illegal immigrants to fill in The Census?
A great idea, make sure that the government has enough details to ensure that they can be tracked to an address, clearly identified and then deported, if only the illegal’s had sufficient English to complete the form, I am sure they would be very willing to be assimilated into English culture.
Grow up, use your common sense, and save the English taxpayer wasted money on supporting stupid minority ventures !
- Jmes, City of London, 25/09/2009 09:35
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Could miss thousands? Only thousands?
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark, 25/09/2009 09:25
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