Most of us only think about the Census once a decade, usually when the form lands and we’re busy getting on with life. But right now, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is deciding what topics will – and won’t – be counted in the 2031 Census for England and Wales, and there’s a deadline coming up fast - 4 February.
If that date feels miles away from 2031, you’re not wrong. But this is exactly how these decisions happen: years in advance, quietly, through consultations that most people never hear about. And for the Armed Forces community, this one matters.
Why this consultation matters to the Armed Forces community
Census 2021 was the first Census to include questions about veterans. That wasn’t guaranteed. It happened because people made the case that veteran data is useful, needed, and overdue.
Here’s the important bit: there is no guarantee any topic stays in the next Census. The ONS will keep, remove or change topics based on evidence and feedback. If veteran questions aren’t strongly backed by responses that explain why they matter, there’s a risk that the question won't be included in 2031 or that it is included in Census 2031, but could be redesigned in a way that doesn't work for us..
That might sound dramatic, but it’s how policy and data works. If you don’t measure something, it’s easier for decision-makers to ignore it.
“So what?” Here’s what Census data actually changes
Census data isn’t just a set of numbers. It influences how services plan, fund and prioritise support over the long term. For veterans and serving personnel, that can touch almost everything:
It helps demonstrate demand for healthcare provision, including mental health support, rehabilitation, and long-term condition services. It informs local authorities and commissioners about where the Armed Forces community lives, which matters for housing, social care, and targeted outreach. It can strengthen the case for employment support, skills programmes, and transition services by showing where need is concentrated and how it shifts over time. And it helps charities and organisations argue for funding with evidence that stands up in rooms where “we think” isn’t enough.
Priorities change. Needs change. The Armed Forces community changes. The Census is one of the few tools that can show that clearly, across the whole country, in a way that government and public services are forced to take seriously.
This is your chance to shape the questions, not just answer them
The point of the ONS consultation is simple: what should be included in the 2031 Census? That means the consultation isn’t only about whether “veteran status” stays. It’s also about what information would actually be useful and how it should be captured.
Veterans and serving personnel are in a strong position to say what’s missing, what worked in 2021, and what needs improving. If you’ve ever had that familiar feeling of “we’re not counted properly” or “they don’t understand what we need”, this is one of the rare moments where you can do something practical about it.
What to say in the consultation (without overthinking it)
You don’t need to write an essay. The strongest responses are often plain and direct.
If veteran questions matter to you, say so and explain why. If you’ve seen services struggle because they don’t know how many veterans live locally, mention it. If you’ve worked in a charity, local authority, NHS setting, or employment support role and you rely on Census data to plan, fund, or justify provision, say that too. If you’re serving and you think the Armed Forces community needs better visibility in national data, make that case.
The key is to make it real: not “this would be nice”, but “this data is used for X, and without it Y is harder”.
Don’t leave it to “someone else” to speak for you
Consultations often get dominated by organisations with the time and staff to respond. Those voices matter, but they shouldn’t be the only voices. The ONS needs to hear from the people behind the statistics: veterans, reservists, and serving personnel who understand the reality behind the numbers.
If you’re thinking, “surely they’ll keep the veteran questions now they’ve started,” don’t bet on it. In government terms, nothing continues by default unless it’s clearly justified.
How to take part before 4 February
Head to the ONS website and look for the consultation on topics for the 2031 Census. If you can’t find it immediately, search online for “ONS 2031 Census consultation topics”. It should take you straight there.
It’s worth sharing the link with veteran groups, unit networks, charities, service providers, and anyone who supports the Armed Forces community. The more responses the ONS receives that clearly explain why this information matters, the stronger the case becomes.
We’ll follow this as it develops
We’ll be keeping an eye on what the consultation leads to and what it means for the Armed Forces community. If organisations involved in this work offer someone to speak about the consultation and what’s at stake, we’ll look to bring that into the conversation too.
For now, the message is straightforward: if you want veterans to stay visible in national data, this is the moment to say so – before 4 February.
