Motherwell FC have helped kick off Scotland’s Census 2011 which takes place on Sunday 27 March this year.
Stephen Craigan (club captain), Keith Lasley and youngster Dario Quinn joined census district manager Louis Howson at the club’s Fir Park ground to highlight that everyone’s included in the census and that its results help deliver billions of pounds worth of services – including future sports facilities.
More than 2.5 million questionnaires for Scotland’s biggest population survey are now being delivered to households across the country ahead of census day later this month.
All enumerators (census takers) who will be delivering the census questionnaires to homes in North and South Lanarkshire have been security checked and have signed an undertaking to protect the privacy of the information on the questionnaires. They will also all carry official photographic identification. Anyone with doubts about their authenticity can contact the census helpline on 0300 123 1702.
Registrar General for Scotland, Duncan Macniven, is responsible for organising the census.
He said: “Like football, the census covers Scotland nationally and locally – everyone is included. For many young people – and people from the rest of the world who have made Scotland their home, such as many of the SPL’s football stars – 2011 is the first time that they have been responsible for filling in a census questionnaire. This month, they have their chance to make a permanent mark on Scotland.
“The census asks questions that help the government, local authorities and businesses target billions of pounds of public money on services, including health, housing and leisure facilities. Personal information is kept confidential for 100 years.
“There are 13 questions about the household and up to 35 questions for each person. Most of the census questions are multiple choice and can be answered by simply ticking a box. It takes about 10 minutes to complete per person, but its effects will last for a decade.”
Chief Executive of Motherwell FC, Leeann Dempster said: “Motherwell Football Club is delighted to assist in any way we can with raising awareness of the 2011 census. The information provided in the census, which is the only reliable medium for measuring population, will go a long way to helping the government, local authorities and businesses plan and provide a wide range of public services including health, housing, transport and education.
“It is vital you take part on census day at the end of the month, 27 March 2011.”
Local census regional manager Kerr McConnell added: “The census is hugely significant as its results help provide a “big picture” of Scotland in 2011 and will also help with the crucial delivery of future services and resources for North and South Lanarkshire.
“It is important for the future development of North and South Lanarkshire as it will provide the facts and figures required to effectively plan ahead and give the communities across North and South Lanarkshire what they need, now and in future years to come.’’
For further information on Scotland’s Census visit www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk.