WITH plans for the next Census to be done mainly online, the Isle of Wight has been asked to test plans for digital assistance.
The Isle of Wight is the only place in the country to have been selected to pilot 'assisted digital help’ as part of a test census.
Randomly selected households in Cowes, Newport, Sandown and Ryde are due to receive letters from the Office of National Statistics, from today (Tuesday).
The letter contains a unique access code that will give them access to an online questionnaire, enabling them to answer the questions quickly and easily.
As part of the test, libraries in the areas above will be on hand to assist online, if required.
A spokeswoman said: "It is crucial that ONS tests key elements to make sure everything will work as it should on census day. The 2021 Census will be mainly online, so ONS needs to make sure systems are working correctly.
"They will also be testing proposed new questions."
The Isle of Wight was selected for reasons including a higher percentage of over 65s, compared to the mainland — 26.6 per cent compared to 17.9 per cent — and lower levels of reliable broadband and mobile coverage, the spokeswoman said.
Library service manager Rob Jones said: "We have the computers and wifi available and we already provide a lot of support for residents to access digital services and we are ready to help you if you are one of the households that have been chosen to take part in the census test."
If you have been selected to take part in the Census test, further information is available at www.ons.gov.uk/census and the helpline number is: 0300 068 3001 
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