PEOPLE across the Dudley borough are being asked to make sure they have filled in their responses to the Census 2021 before the deadline.

Anyone who fails to respond could face a fine and a criminal record.

According to the Office for National Statistics 97 per cent of households across England and Wales have responded - while all local authorities have seen more than 90 per cent of households respond.

Those who haven't yet completed their online forms, however, are warned that time is running out. The online questionnaire will close on May 17.

Now the main field operation has ended, households across England and Wales will be invited to take part in the Census Coverage Survey (CCS) - a short, separate, interviewer-led survey which will enable the ONS to get a final view of the response rates.

The ONS’s deputy national statistician Iain Bell said: "We’ve had an amazing response to Census 2021. Our information shows 97 per cent of households have responded so far – exceeding our pre-census target of 94 per cent.

“Those who have taken part have done so to ensure they are represented for their local area. I’d like to thank everyone who has filled out their form so far as well as all the community groups, organisations and local authorities who have helped us make this census a success.

“We’re in a great place as we begin our Census Coverage Survey. This is an important part of making sure the census produces the most accurate population statistics. It asks similar questions to the main census, just fewer of them, at addresses in a selection of postcodes across England and Wales. An interviewer will carry out the survey on your doorstep and it will only take around 15 minutes.

“The CCS is a voluntary survey, but by taking part, you will improve the quality of the information the census gathers. This, in turn, helps to plan and fund local services in your community.”

Although Census Day (March 21) has been and gone - people can still respond online.

Anyone who had lost their letter or has a second address they have not visited can go online to census.gov.uk to request an online completion code for their address via SMS text message.

After 17 May, only paper questionnaires will be available.

If people refuse to take part, they could be taken to court and issued with a £1,000 fine and criminal record.

The census non-compliance operation will get underway on May 25.

Students are reminded to make sure they have completed a questionnaire for their term-time address to help get the services they need in their university town now and in the future. Students should complete a form even if they were included on their family form at home.

People with second addresses also need to fill out a short form for their properties whether it is a caravan, holiday home or commuter flat.

From this week a sample of households will receive a card through the post asking them to take part in the CCS.

After that, an interviewer, following the government’s Covid-19 guidelines, will visit the address and fill in the questionnaire on the doorstep.

The interviewer will show an ID badge on a Census 2021 branded lanyard.

Local census support centres have now closed, but help and paper questionnaires are still available through the census contact centre on freephone 0800 141 2021.