What's your income? New questions planned for next national census

Published on Friday 16 March 2007 01:05

THE next national census may include a question on income and more detailed questions over ethnicity, it emerged yesterday.

Duncan McNiven, the registrar general, has sent out a consultation on what questions should be included in the 2011 census to reflect better the changing face of Scotland.

Questions on national identity are under scrutiny following concerns the 2001 census insulted certain ethnic groups.

Instead of one question on ethnicity, the form could include two - one on national identity and one on geographic origin.

And a question on income may be included, although officials admitted there could be problems over unrelated adults in the same house not wanting housemates to know their earnings.

Mr McNiven said that it was vital to get the census right so public organisations such as the NHS and police could use the information to better serve various sections of the population.

In previous years, the census has even asked if a household has a bathroom to indicate a person's wealth.

But as UK households now have indoor bathrooms, this is no longer relevant.

Instead, a question on income could be included to identify areas of deprivation.