This dataset provides 2011 Census estimates that classify usual residents aged 3 and over in England and Wales by proficiency in English and by age of arrival in the UK. The estimates are as at census day, 27 March 2011.

This information helps central government, local authorities and the NHS to allocate resources and provide services for non-English speakers, for example English teaching and translation services. It is a better indicator than country of birth, which was previously used to forecast the additional cost of providing services to people whose first language is not English. These statistics are also used by public service providers to effectively target the delivery of their services, for example in the provision of translation and interpretation services, the availability of English language lessons, and the distribution of official information leaflets in alternative languages. These statistics are also used to allocate resources and to develop and monitor policy; to assess the needs of particular groups in the population, for example those migrating from outside the EU; to analyse trends in migration; to forecast future migration patterns; and for the planning and provision of facilities and services.
Statistical Disclosure Control
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.
Table ID
LC2803EW
Source
Census 2011
Units
Keywords
Proficiency in English, Age of arrival in UK
Coverage
England and Wales
Area types
Output area and above
Latest data
2011
Last updated
2013-07-31 09:30
Variables
Proficiency in English, Age of Arrival in UK
Contact
Census
Email
census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk
Phone
01329 444 972
Website
http://www.ons.gov.uk/census
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