Census 2021 is coming to Milton Keynes next month - here's the questions you will have to answer

This is just one of a list of questions to be asked by Census 2021, which is designed to give detailed snapshot of the nation's living habits, employment statuses, health, education and even sexual orientation.

Held every 10 years, the census must be completed by law. Anyone who fails to complete it or supplies false information can be fined up to £1,000.

But some of the questions are voluntary, and there will be no action if you do not answer these.

Census 2021 will have new questions which are more relevant to today's society we live in today. For the first time it will be asking everybody aged 16 years and over a question on sexual orientation. A question about gender identity will also be asked but this is one you do not have to fill in.

A spokesman for the Office for National Statistics, which organises the census, said: "Information about gender identity has not previously been collected in the census, except in relation to sex being male or female. Following feedback from the Census 2021 topic consultation, we committed to taking forward work on exploring whether and how to collect information on gender identity."

In the household section, there will be a new question on renewable energy systems. You will be still be asked to list every member of their household and also answer the question: 'Who else is staying overnight on Sunday 21 March 2021?'

Some questions from previous census years have, however, been removed. For example, you will no longer be asked whether or not you've got an outside toilet.

You will also no longer be asked how many rooms you have in your house, or what year you last worked, says the ONS.

But you will be asked about any reasons for not working, the hours you work and your availability for work.

Under the health section, the census will ask questions about your general physical and mental health, whether it stops you doing day-to-day activities and whether you are an unpaid carer for anyone.

It will also ask questions about you ethnic group, national identity, religion and language, migration and citizenship.

The ONS spokesman said: "The census helps us understand what our society needs now and what it’s likely to need in the future. The information it collects helps plan and fund services in your area. This could include transport, education and healthcare.

"Charities also use census information to help get the funding they need. Businesses use it to decide where to set up, which creates job opportunities."

Due to Covid, Census 2021 will be a 'digital-first census' for people to fill in online where possible. But, if they prefer, they can still return a paper form.

"We want as many people as possible to fill in their questionnaire online in 2021," said their ONS spokesman. It is easy to do and can be done on any device with internet connectivity."

Nearer the time, people will get a letter through the post with with a unique access code on it. The code into the secure census website, where the questionnaire can be filled in.

The ONS says there will be "plenty of support" available for people struggling to complete it. Covid regulations permitting, they may even be opening Census Support Centres to help people fill in their online questionnaire.

"We’re also encouraging people to get help from friends and family to complete their census," said the spokesman.

After Census Day, at the end of March and into April, census field officers will be visiting households from which the ONS has not received a completed census form.

"They will encourage people to complete the census and help you to access further help if you need it. Our field officers will never need to enter your house," said the spokesman.