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Update on ONS Census Outputs
There are two of the four stages of release of 2011 Census data already announced which will be of particular interest to Census data users, and especially to the Irish community.
Further clarification of the situation regarding the Identity data (Ethnicity/National Identity and related issues such as Passports held) is contained in Appendix A of the consultation document referred to below.
The overview of Ethnicity and National Identity in England & Wales (and also in Britain and the UK) will now appear as three staged Themes.
Theme 1 will appear in the Second Phase (November 2012-February 2013) and will explore - for England and Wales - changes since 2001 for Ethnicity only, and will provide an overview of local findings.
Themes 2 and 3 will take place between 2013 and 2015. Theme 2 will provide a high-level picture - for England & Wales - of how the ethnic distribution (broken down by key demographic characteristics) has changed since 1991. Theme 3 will include the ethnic distribution for the Great Britain and the United Kingdom by sex and age.
As previously noted, the tables corresponding to the 2001 Census Standard tables for England & Wales, on which FIS based its suite of 2006 reports, are scheduled to appear in Stage 4 of the publication process (July-October 2013).
ONS CONSULTATION
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is carrying out a consultation on EIRL sections of the Census (Ethnicity & National Identity, Religion and Language). Some motives for this late consultation appear to be that “it is only feasible for the ONS to deliver analysis deemed most vital to support the needs and requirements of stakeholders” and that ONS’s unique position in relation to national statistics in previous years is likely to be diluted in the future by more extensive collaborative working or through outsourcing to “independent external bodies”.
Two examples of related information which ONS is seeking in this consultation are:
· “Is there any EIRL Census analysis that you/your organisation would propose to undertake?”
· “Do you believe the EIRL analysis proposed should be done outside of the ONS either independently or in collaboration? For instance by: other government departments, academic or third sector researchers.” (In this context of outsourcing, while it is not specifically mentioned here, the commercial sector is mentioned as a key stakeholder in this consultation.)
It would be very useful if those affiliates of FIS who made use of the suite of national, local and regional 2001 Census reports commissioned and published by FIS would – in any reply they make to this consultation – mention how useful they found the reports and the use to which they were able to put them.
Previous Census data has proved very useful to equalities and BME/BAME advocates (even if the data, as presented, has not always been as full or inclusive in its presentation of Irish data as FIS would have preferred).
This consultation emphasises that the EIRL data is included in the Census to “enable better understanding of the social and economic position of the different groups, to help to identify cases of social inclusion, and used to inform policy development. Information on ethnic group is used to enable public bodies to meet their statutory obligations under…equality legislation…” – this statement emphasises the importance of FIS’s frequently reiterated request for full and inclusive use of data on all the Census ethnic categories, including the Irish data.
This consultation is also asking for evidence-based answers regarding the usefulness of Census-derived data under the following headings:
· How the analysis proposed will inform policy?
· What the demand for this analysis is?
· Who the users for the analysis will be?
· The impact of having or not having the analysis?
The ONS consultation document is 2011 CENSUS ANALYSIS STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION: ETHNICITY & NATIONAL IDENTITY, RELIGION AND LANGUAGE
The contact details for responses to the consultation (deadline: 31 August 2012) or for guidance on responses are: Sian Bradford, Senior Research Officer (Fast Stream), Office for National Statistics, Measuring National Well-being, Room 2.164 Government Buildings, Cardiff Road, Newport, Wales, NP 10 8XG (Guidance assistance: 01633 45 5345) (Return of written responses: above address; return of responses by e-mail: equqlitiesandwellbeing@ons.gsi.gov.uk)
Policy Responses
July 2012
Material Deprivation Index - Synopsis of a Report
Working on the Material Deprivatrion Index model as set by the government, The Federation of Irish Societies took a sample of 200 Irish people over the age of 60. Above is the report which outlines our findings.
October 2011
Response from the Federation of Irish Societies to the OPEN PUBLIC SERVICES WHITE PAPER
The Open Public Services White Paper sets out how the Government will improve public services.
The White Paper sets out the government’s approach to public services by applying five key principles:
- Choice – wherever possible they will increase choice
- Decentralisation – Power should be decentralised to the lowest appropriate level
- Diversity – Public services should be open to a range of providers
- Fairness – They will ensure fair access to public services
- Accountability – Public services should be accountable to users and taxpayers.
The White Paper will be followed over the summer by a wide-ranging discussion with individuals, communities, public sector staff, providers and others with an interest in how public services are delivered.
To download the White Paper click hereTo download our response on behalf of the Irish community click here
FIS have access to many resources that can help your organisation. We are currently reviewing our library and will be updating this page over the coming weeks. In the meantime if you have any specific requests please contact the London Head Office.