Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK has confirmed that the Manx Government has no plans to follow a move in the United Kingdom to scrap the national census.
The UK census, which takes place every ten years, is set to be replaced by alternative forms of data collection amid concerns that it is inaccurate and expensive, costing a reported ?480m in 2011.
The Isle of Man census is conducted every five years, the latest being in 2011 and the next due in 2016. The budget for the last census was ?350,000.
The Chief Minister said: ‘The census provides an update on the size and structure of the Island’s population every five years, identifying significant changes and trends. It is of great value to Government in helping to plan policies and public services, and is useful for the business community too.
‘The smaller size of the Island means that census here is likely to be much more accurate than in larger jurisdictions like the UK, as the operation can be tightly and effectively managed. Suitable alternative sources of information that may be available elsewhere do not exist to the same extent in the Isle of Man.’
Mr Bell concluded: ‘The census is an essential tool to assist Government in planning for the Island’s future and we have no plans to dispose of it.’
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