No prosecutions in Scotland over failure to complete census

Seven people were reported to the Crown Office on charges of ignoring the survey. The National Records of Scotland (NRS), which oversees the census, had cautioned that defaulters could face penalties up to £1,000. However, around 11 per cent of Scotland’s 2.7 million households did not submit a completed census form.

A spokesperson for the Crown Office said: “Seven reports of refusal to complete Scotland’s Census 2022 were received from NRS and were considered by the procurator fiscal. After full and careful consideration of all facts and circumstances, the seven reports were dealt with by way of an offer of an alternative to prosecution.”

The Crown Office did not specify the particular measures employed for each individual.

Conducted once every decade, the census is a comprehensive national survey. Data from the census informs planning, service provision, and funding allocation by governments, councils, and various entities.

Because of the pandemic, Scotland’s 2021 census was deferred to 2022, contrasting with England and Wales where it proceeded as usual. Even though people are legally obliged to participate in the census, initially only 79 per cent of households complied. This led to an extension of the submission deadline by four weeks, resulting in a 89 per cent response rate. Those who still failed to comply were given a final chance before potential prosecution processes by the NRS commenced.

By comparison, the 2021 census in England and Wales saw a 97 per cent completion rate, with 18 out of approximately 850,000 non-compliant households facing prosecution. Scotland’s 2011 census observed a 95 per cent participation rate with five prosecutions ensuing for non-compliance.

Audit Scotland, in a report from November on the 2022 census, emphasised the need for the NRS to understand why Scotland’s response rate lagged behind the rest of the UK.

An NRS representative said: “Since the collection period, the next phase of the programme is to deliver the census results. These statistics will help local authorities, businesses and central government plan a wide range of vital public services, to improve the lives of those living and working in Scotland.”