In 2005, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) held a consultation to look at the content of the 2011 Census. Languages featured heavily in the consultation and the report concluded that there was a requirement for language information.

Before a final decision can be made to include a language question in the 2011 Census, the ONS is holding a further consultation to identify the particular needs.

The UK is a multilingual and multicultural society and a linguistic map of the UK as a whole is vital in order to meet the linguistic and cultural needs of individuals and communities. Knowledge of languages spoken in the UK is required from a wide range of organisations, from national and local government departments to voluntary and commercial service providers on a wide range of levels from economic prosperity to social inclusion.

The deadline for responses is this Friday (30 March 2007). For more information or if you would like to contribute to the consultation, go to: www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/cn_155.asp