The woman in charge of the census in Dundee and Angus has sought to reassure the public by stressing, “We want information about people so that we can build a better future.”
Molly McCreadie said the aim of the exercise was to gather data about people to inform public spending for the next 10 years. While the census is backed by law and carries the threat of a fine of up to £1000 for deliberate non-compliance, its purpose is to be informative and not intrusive.
“We don’t want money from people we want information,” she added.
She was attempting to defuse concern about the latest 10-yearly population count after criticism that it invades people’s privacy and is too daunting and complicated for many, including the elderly, to complete.
The Courier has already reported that a succession of older people have been turning up at Dundee City Chambers for help to fill in the 28-page questionnaire.
Lord Provost John Letford said older people were confused and he feared many would give up.
Ms McCreadie is regional manager for the census in Dundee and Angus. Her team of over 300 enumerators have distributed the forms to nearly 130,000 households and an estimated 240,000 people for the count, which takes place on Sunday.
Scotland’s official population survey has been delivered to 2.5 million households and, while personal details are safeguarded by law and kept confidential for up to 100 years, anonymous statistical results will play a vital role in shaping public services. It will inform how billions of pounds of services including health, education, transport and housing are delivered.
Despite some claims that it is too complex, Ms McCreadie said effort had been made for the census to be as user-friendly as possible.
Ms McCreadie said, “There is a lot of help for people who are unable to complete the census on their own and there are no repercussions for people who try but can’t manage.
“People who refuse to fill in the census on principle can be fined because it is backed by law, but we don’t want money from people we want information.”
Ms McCreadie is also meeting groups in a bid to allay concerns. These have included the Tayside Deaf Hub and next week she will be addressing the Dundee International Women’s Centre.For more information and help, visit www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk