census – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Passport amnesty period launched by Weatherbys for thoroughbred owners

INAUGURAL CENSUS REACHES 4,500 SUBMISSIONS

Weatherbys General Stud Book has launched a period of amnesty throughout November for owners of former racehorses needing to update their horse’s equine identification document (passport)
Throughout the month, owners will be able to update their horse’s passport without incurring the £32 administration fee
Initiative launched as Britain’s first ever Thoroughbred Census reaches 4,500 submissions
Complete the Thoroughbred Census here
Change of ownership application form available to download from here
Launch video can be viewed here

Weatherbys General Stud Book has launched a period of amnesty throughout November, meaning the first 500 owners in need of updating their horse’s equine identification document (passport) can do so without incurring the £32 administration fee.

The announcement comes as Britain’s inaugural Thoroughbred Census, launched by British Racing’s Horse Welfare Board in collaboration with research experts at Hartpury University, has reached a landmark of 4,500 submissions.

As the primary source of traceability for all thoroughbreds in Great Britain, new owners are required to update their horse’s passport within 30 days of new ownership. However, currently the compliance rate is estimated to be around 20%, meaning traceability of former racehorses becomes significantly reduced after their first step out of racing.

The Thoroughbred Census was introduced to improve the data bank on former racehorses and the lives they go on to lead, and to promote responsible ownership practices. So, in celebration of reaching 4,500 submissions, the amnesty period has been launched to encourage even more owners to update their passport when completing the census.

The period of amnesty started on Wednesday 1 November 2023 and ends on Thursday 30 November 2023. In order for Weatherbys General Stud Book to waive the fee, owners will need to complete a paper change of ownership application form and send along with their passport.

The amnesty is available for the first 500 applications. Change of ownership application form can be downloaded here, with more information on how to submit here.

Helena Flynn, Programme Director, Horse Welfare Board, said: “The equine identification document (passport) amnesty is a significant moment in our continued efforts to improve the traceability of thoroughbreds in Great Britain, once retired from racing.

The initial uptake of the Thoroughbred Census from owners across the country has been really positive, but the job is far from complete, and an industry-wide push is still required to promote and encourage owners of all former racehorses to participate. Whether a horse has been retired to a field or is an RoR champion, we want to know about them.”

Sharon O’Regan, General Manager, Weatherbys General Stud Book, said: “Ensuring that all thoroughbreds go on to live happy and healthy lives after retiring from racing is a cause important to all of us within the sport.

“Since the start of the campaign we have already seen an uplift in people updating their passports which is fantastic. Whilst the ongoing cost of maintaining our systems and database is significant we do appreciate that paying for the change in ownership is perhaps a barrier for some.

“Therefore we hope that waiving this cost for a period of time to support the census initiative will make a difference and encourage even more thoroughbred owners to bring these details up to date. The more complete our database, the more confidence there will be when considering welfare matters around all thoroughbreds not just those currently racing or breeding.”

Eligibility criteria for equine identification document (passport) amnesty:

The horse has formerly been registered with a British licensed trainer or has competed on a British racecourse.
The owner has completed the 2023 Thoroughbred Census for the horse for which they are completing the change of ownership.
Completed form and passport must be received by Weatherbys General Stud Book between 1 November 2023 and 30 November 2023.
Horses with an FEI passport are NOT eligible to participate.
Change of ownership for breeding purposes will NOT be eligible for the amnesty.
Only the first 500 submissions will be eligible for the amnesty.

All owners of former racehorses are being asked to complete the Thoroughbred Census between 28 June – 31 December 2023, with the primary objective of helping to improve the traceability of thoroughbreds after they have been retired from racing. The census requests information on each horse’s passport number, microchip number, age, current residence, second career, and more to provide a robust view of the 2023 British retired racehorse population.

With improved data, British Racing and its aftercare charity, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), can better support owners with access to educational resources and routes to compete if desired, as well as continue to build informed and helpful communities. Improved data at this stage of a thoroughbred’s life can also help the Horse Welfare Board and RoR improve and adapt welfare initiatives and will, most importantly, enable fast and effective contact in the event of an equine disease outbreak.

As a result of the campaign to date, Weatherbys General Stud Book has reported an increase of 44% in the number of equine identification document (passport) updates compared to this time last year.

The 2023 Thoroughbred Census can be completed online here, before closing on 31 December 2023. Completion of the census is not compulsory, but owners are strongly encouraged to join the community and participate. Full results will be reported during the first quarter of 2024.

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Scotland’s Census ‘ready to move to next stage’

Almost 2.3 million households completed census – Opposition says the process has been shambolic

The extension to the census collection period saw an additional 200,000 households complete their census, it was announcedyesterday.

Setting out progress to Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson announced that the national return rate increased by 8.7 percentage points since the start of the extension to 87.9%, bringing the total number of households providing a response to Scotland’s Census 2022 to almost 2.3 million.

The level of national census returns provides a strong position to build up a picture of the population, as National Records of Scotland moves to the next phase of the census.

Mr Robertson said: “The census is a once in a decade exercise and plays an important role in decision making for Scotland. I want to thank everyone who completed the census, your responses will help shape the future of vital public services across Scotland.

“I also want to give my thanks to all of the people involved over the past few months from the hundreds of field staff, contact centre agents and census officials who were instrumental in ensuring the voices of households across Scotland were heard.

“We extended the collection period to ensure that as many people as possible could have the opportunity to complete it. Since the start of the extension, we have seen significant progress with 10 local authorities achieving a return rate of more than 90% and 28 local authorities having a return rate of more than 85%.

“This data will provide us with a strong position as we move to the next phase and turn this data into actions that will benefit people across Scotland.

“There have been many important lessons learned over the last few months and which we will consider for the future of the census. The evaluation of Scotland’s Census 2022 will help us develop a better understanding of what has worked and make informed recommendations for the future.”

Through a combination of census returns, individual administrative data, the Census Coverage Survey, and adjustments using aggregate administrative data, NRS will be able to proceed effectively with the next phase of census.

A target was set to achieve 85% or more for each Local Authority area. On 1st May this had only been achieved in one Local Authority – it has now been achieved by 28.

MSP encourages Edinburgh families to complete Scotland’s Census

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald is urging the people of Edinburgh to play their part in planning for future services across Edinburgh by completing the Scottish census.

Speaking ahead of the May 1 deadline for completing the census, Gordon MacDonald said: “The census is the official count of every person and household in the country, takes place every 10 years and it is in the interests of everyone in Edinburgh to complete it accurately and on time.

“The census benefits everyone because it helps the government and other service providers like local councils make important decisions about vital services such as education, healthcare and employment. Completing the census helps officials make better decisions about the things that matter to you.

“By setting aside just a few minutes to answer questions about yourself, your household, and the place where you live, you play a vital role in helping shape important community services across the city, from the building of new schools and hospitals to improving transport links and understanding health needs.

“So, it is hugely important to play your part to make sure everyone is heard, and everyone’s individual needs are accurately recorded.”

Every household in Scotland must complete Scotland’s Census. It’s a legal responsibility and householders are responsible for making sure they respond. Anyone who hasn’t completed the census by the 1st of May could face a fine.

For anyone who has yet to complete it, help and support is available on the website census.gov.scot or via a free helpline on 0800 030 8308.

Guidance is available for every question in English and 16 other languages on the website.

An interpretation service covering most languages can be accessed by calling 0800 030 8333.

You can also request copies of the guidance in Braille, large print or on audio CD or USB.

There are guidance videos in British Sign Language on the key pages of the website and a video relay service offered by contactscotland-bsl.org can be used by BSL users to access advice from the helpline.

Dog lovers in Scotland needed to take part in ‘land-bark’ survey

Dogs Trust in Scotland is calling on local dog lovers to take part in the biggest ever nationwide survey to help dogs and owners of the future.

The National Dog Survey, launched by Dogs Trust, will help the charity better-understand the UK’s 12.5 million-strong pooch population and the part dogs play in their owners’ lives, shaping the support the charity offers to canine companions and their families.

Dogs Trust has two rehoming centres in Scotland, one in Glasgow and the other in West Calder, both of which find homes for hundreds of rescue dogs each year.

Sandra Downie, Rehoming Centre Manager for Dogs Trust in Glasgow, says: “Through this survey we want to learn as much as possible about dog ownership to inform what we do to improve dog welfare and support dog owners.

“Dogs Trust has been around for 130 years and in that time so much has changed when it comes to dogs being at the heart of our family.

“This is the first time we have carried out a survey of this kind and we want to hear from dog owners as well as people who don’t currently have a dog but have lived with one in the past. By gathering as much information as we can, we will be able to help people and dogs live the best lives possible together.”

The online survey asks dog owners about everything from how their dog behaves and what training they do with their four-legged friend, to questions about their relationship such as do they celebrate their dog’s birthday and do they tell them they love them.

It also covers people’s post-pandemic plans for their dog such as are they hoping to take them into the office with them or will they employ a dog walker, if they are returning to their workplace.

The survey, which can be completed online at www.nationaldogsurvey.org.uk, also asks people to say how having a dog improves their life, what advice they would give to people looking to welcome a dog into their family and what one thing could Dogs Trust do to help them and their dog live happily together.

Sandra adds: “We always love to hear tales from owners who have adopted from us, and every single one of them has a different story to tell. We now want to capture the experiences of all local dog owners so we can build a picture of dog ownership today and what more Dogs Trust can do to help them and their dogs.

“This will be the most comprehensive census of dogs and dog lovers ever completed and we would love it if everyone who is passionate about dogs could do their bit to help our four-legged friends of the future have the best lives possible.

“What people tell us today will help us make sure we are able to do everything we can to support dogs and their owners for the next 130 years and more.”

For more information and to take part in the National Dog Survey, visit www.nationaldogsurvey.org.uk

Dog owners who complete the survey will get tailored behaviour advice sent direct to them.

The closing date is 17^th October.

“Not fit for purpose”: Holyrood Committee calls for changes in census legislation

A Scottish Parliament Committee has found serious deficiencies in the way consultation was carried out around planned changes to the 2021 census. In a report published today, they recommend wider consultation and propose amendments to avoid the perception that sex is being conflated with gender identity.

The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee has been scrutinising the Census (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill in preparation for the next census which will take place in 2021.

The bill proposes that new questions on sexual orientation and transgender identity should be voluntary. In its guidance for the bill, National Records of Scotland also proposed that the mandatory sex question should include a non-binary response option as well as male and female.

In its stage one report, MSPs found the lack of consultation with a range of organisations including a broad range of women’s groups, to be a serious deficiency in the process when considering issues of sex and transgender status. The Committee concluded that many of these issues, particularly in relation to the perceived conflation of sex and gender identity, could have been avoided if there had been an adequate process of consultation.

The Committee also recommended by a majority that the next census should continue to offer a binary male/female question in order to maximise response rates and maintain consistency with previous censuses.

Under current legislation, all census questions are compulsory apart from questions on religion. The Committee agreed that a voluntary approach to new questions on sexual orientation and gender identity/trans-status is appropriate.

Joan McAlpine MSP, Convener of the Committee said: “The purpose of the census is to accurately reflect our society and gather vital information for the provision of public services and the development of policy. However, there has been a serious lack of consultation with a range of women’s groups which has led to legislation being published which is not fit for purpose. Had a proper, robust consultation been undertaken in the first place a lot of these issues could have been avoided.

“The Committee also found that some of the language within the legislation has created confusion and a perception that the Bill conflates issues around sex and gender identity. We have recommended that the Scottish Government addresses this issue through a range of measures including amendment of the Bill at stage two.

“To maximise response rates and ensure consistency, a majority of the Committee concluded that the sex question should remain binary. People who identify as transgender or non-binary will still have the option of a separate question on their identity, which the Committee agreed should be voluntary.”

The report can be found here.

A’ Jock Tamson’s bairns? Census highlights strong sense of identity

The latest figures from the 2011 Census data show a diverse nation with a strong sense of identity, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said today.

Commenting on release 3A of Scotland’s 2011 census results, which allow us to break down and compare the ethnicity, identity, language and religion, Ms Hylsop said: “Scotland is a culturally, religious and ethnically diverse place – and these pictures paint a fascinating portrait of Scotland today, telling us more about the people who make up our Scottish nation.

“What unites us is our very strong sense of Scottish identity, with 83 per cent feeling either solely Scottish or Scottish and something else, compared to, for example, 70 per cent of people in England feeling English.

“Young people feel a particularly strong sense of Scottish identity, with 71 per cent of 10 to 14 year olds, and 70 per cent of 15 to 19 year olds, feeling Scottish only.

“Scotland is an exciting and welcoming place to live and work. Our society is more multi-cultural than ever before, and our communities more ethnically and religiously diverse.

“It is especially welcome that those proud to claim a Scottish identity include those who have chosen Scotland as their home and the census reflects a strong Scottish identity in across all ethnic groups. For example, amongst those who felt they had some Scottish identity, either on its own or in combination with another identity, were 60 per cent of people from a mixed background or 50 per cent of those from a Pakistani ethnic group.

“These figures show that Scotland is an attractive and dynamic nation and one where people from many different backgrounds, cultures and nationalities want to make a life for themselves and their families and celebrate their Scottish identity.

“With each new data release we are able to build an ever more detailed demographic picture which will help us plan for the future and keep pace with the changing demographics of our country.”