Serco wins contract to support next test Census as preparations begin for 2031 national count
Published: 18 Jun 2026
Serco, the international provider of critical government services, has been awarded a new contract by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to support the 2027 Census Test, a major milestone in preparations for the next census.
More than 200,000 households will be invited to take part in the 2027 Census Test, helping ONS trial new approaches, identify where people need additional support and refine plans for the full census in 2031.
Serco has been awarded this contract following a competitive process under a Government Commercial Agency (GCA) Framework and will provide customer support services to help those people completing the Test Census through phone, webchat and digital messaging channels.
An integrated contact centre platform will also be launched which will bring multiple communication channels together, enabling advisors to respond more quickly and provide a more personalised service. The system will also be able to scale rapidly during periods of high demand and offer specialist support, including Welsh-language services.
The award builds on Serco's role in delivering support for previous Census programmes, including the 2019 Census Rehearsal and the 2021 Census, one of the largest peacetime data collection exercises undertaken in the UK.
Data gathered through the Census helps shape decisions on public services, housing, transport, education and healthcare, making it one of the country's most important sources of information about population change and community needs.
Fiona Walters, CEO of Serco UK & Europe said:
"We're delighted to support the Office for National Statistics on a programme that plays such an important role in understanding and planning for the UK's future.
"The Census provides vital information that helps governments, local authorities and public services make informed decisions. We're proud to be helping ensure people can access the support they need to take part in the census test.
"Winning this contract reflects the expertise of our teams and reinforces our position as a trusted partner. It will create new opportunities for colleagues to develop their skills while delivering a service that has a real impact on communities across the UK."