Count yourself in

It only happens once every ten years, and Britain's annual population census is upon us on 29 April. Live-in nannies may be wondering whether they should be included on the form for their employer's household, or their parents', or do their own. The Census 2001 customer service advises us that a live-in nanny is counted as part of the household if they share at least one meal a day and/or a sitting room. Other census information says that as the count is now being done according to where people are usually resident, students should be counted at their term-time address. In any case, nannies can request their own separate form from the enumerators who deliver the forms to each household by hand. Forms can then be collected or sent back in the reply-paid envelope provided. The data collected is essential for assessing and planning public services, so everyone should take part - besides, it's compulsory and there is a 1,000 fine for not returning a form or for giving false information! And the form's questions about employment and workplace just might finally yield some figures for the number of nannies working in the UK. One group found to have been widely missed out in the previous census was newborn babies. This year the Government is trying to catch more of them and, in a joint promotion with Tesco and Bounty Bags, a special sleepsuit is being presented to every baby born on census day. Any questions about the census can be put to the helpline on 01329 813 800.