The Census provides invaluable facts about:

An accurate count of the population in each local area helps Government to calculate the size of grants it allocates each local authority and health authority.  In turn these authorities use census information when planning services within their areas.

Data on the age and socio-economic make up of the population, and more specifically on general health, long-term illness and carers enables the Government to plan health and social services, and to allocate resources.

Information on housing and its occupants measures inadequate accommodation and, with information about the way we live as households, indicates the need for new housing.

Employment

The Census shows how many people work in different occupations and industries throughout the country, helping government and businesses to plan jobs and training policies and to make informed investment decisions.

Information collected on travel to and from work, and on the availability of cars, contributes to the understanding of pressures on transport systems and to the planning of roads and public transport.

Data on ethnic groups helps to identify the extent and nature of disadvantage in Britain and to measure the success of equal opportunities policies.  The information helps central and local government to allocate resources and plan programmes to take account of the needs of minority groups