This dataset provides 2011 Census estimates that classify usual residents aged 16 and over in employment the week before the census in England and Wales by occupation, by economic activity and by sex. The estimates are as at census day, 27 March 2011.

These statistics provide central government with an understanding of the workforce and the type of skills available and are particularly useful for local economic development, monitoring labour market trends and contributing to schemes created to increase the number of skilled jobs for local residents. The data influence both central and local government resource allocation, Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets for regional competitiveness, and can inform equality and diversity strategies.

Information on economic activity status - as defined by the International Labour Organisation - is used by central and local government, researchers and other organisations to understand local labour markets and to develop and monitor policies at local and regional levels. It is used to identify deprived areas, to allocate community and economic development funding, and for housing and transport planning purposes.

In order to protect against disclosure of personal information from the 2011 Census, there has been swapping of records in the Census database between different geographic areas, and so some counts will be affected. In the main, the greatest effects will be at the lowest geographies, since the record swapping is targeted towards those households with unusual characteristics in small areas.

More details on the ONS Census disclosure control strategy may be found on the Statistical Disclosure Control page on the ONS web site.