Statement from the Office for National Statistics on Sunday Times story about the 2021 Census

The document referred to in Andrew Gilligan’s story is an update on research ONS has been undertaking on potentially collecting information on gender identity as well as data on sex. It does not contain proposed census questions and suggests further research is required.  ONS has yet to formulate its recommendations for the 2021 Census. Once it has done so the Government will bring forward a White Paper which will include the census questions.