Committee publication · Correspondence · 17 June 2025

Letter from Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Chairman, LGA Improvement and Innovation Board on concerns regarding future census methodology and lack of sector engagement, dated 6.6.25

From: Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Inquiry: The work of the UK Statistics Authority

Summary

Councillor Abi Brown, on behalf of the Local Government Association, writes to express concerns about a potential shift toward an exclusively administrative data-based census without adequate sector consultation. Local authorities argue that while administrative data has merit, a traditional census remains essential for accurate service planning at local level, and any transition must be validated against a full household-based census before implementation.

Key findings

The LGA contends that administrative data alone cannot provide the detailed, granular population data councils need for service planning, resource allocation, and community support at local levels.
The 2021 Census, conducted during lockdown, is considered unreliable as a baseline for validating administrative census accuracy due to data accuracy issues around residence recording during remote working and relocation.
Engagement with the local government sector on 2031 Census methodology has ceased, with no communication about preparations that would normally be underway by 2025.
The LGA warns decisions may be made 'behind closed doors' toward a fully admin-based census without formal evaluation or sector input.
The LGA requests urgent clarification from the UK Statistics Authority and ONS, and recommends no decision on exclusive admin-based census without full local government engagement, validation evidence, and formal stakeholder consultation.

Tone

Critical

Topics

public-datalocal-governmentstatisticsgovernance

Key actors

Councillor Abi Brown OBE, Local Government Association, UK Statistics Authority, Office for National Statistics, Simon Hoare MP, Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Notable line

“… decisions are being made behind closed doors, possibly moving toward a fully admin-based census without formal evaluation or sector input.”

Key Quotes

“The census remains a fundamental data source in the accurate planning and delivery of public services.”
— Councillor Abi Brown OBE · explaining why councils depend on census data

“… we do not consider the 2021 Census to be a reliable baseline against which to measure the accuracy or viability of an administrative census.”
— Councillor Abi Brown OBE · on why lockdown-era census cannot validate admin-based approach

“There is a growing concern across local government that decisions are being made behind closed doors, possibly moving toward a fully admin-based census without formal evaluation or sector input.”
— Councillor Abi Brown OBE · expressing concern about lack of transparency

“The robustness, reliability, and public confidence in census data rely on clear, inclusive processes and validation against known, proven standards.”
— Councillor Abi Brown OBE · on principles for census methodology decisions

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗