# UK ONS Discovery MCP for AI Agents AI Agent Connect

> UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets is your direct link to the UK's official statistics. It lets your AI agent browse the full ONS catalog, pull metadata on specific datasets, and query real-time observations for topics like housing, health, and trade. Instead of digging through complex government websites, you can just ask your agent to find and pull the data you need.

## Overview
- **Category:** data-analytics
- **Price:** Free
- **Endpoint:** https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_fvId9Opua7L9Nik9gCqSg8golmJupaDzpV9JVlBd/ai-agent-connect
- **Tags:** statistics, dataset-catalog, metadata, data-discovery, open-data, query-engine

## Description

Finding specific data in government databases usually feels like a chore. You spend more time navigating nested menus and deciphering technical documentation than actually looking at the numbers. This Connector changes that by giving your agent the ability to navigate the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) catalog directly. You can ask your agent to find a specific set of statistics on things like local house prices or employment trends without ever having to leave your workspace. It handles the heavy lifting of figuring out which datasets are relevant and what filters are actually available. Once you identify the right source, it can pull the specific observations you need based on geography, time, or other variables. It's designed to turn a manual research process into a simple conversation. By connecting this through the Vinkius catalog, you get a reliable way to bridge the gap between high-level questions and the granular data required to answer them. You stop being a data scavenger and start being a researcher who gets answers fast.

## Tools

### search_datasets
Find specific dataset IDs and titles using keywords. This helps you narrow down the right data source quickly.

### list_datasets
Browse the complete catalog of over 337 datasets. Use this to get a bird's-eye view of what the ONS offers.

### get_dataset_info
Retrieve metadata including dimensions, editions, and versions. It is the best way to understand a dataset's scope.

### get_dimensions
See what variables are available for filtering in a specific dataset. This tells you exactly what categories you can query.

### get_dimension_options
Get all valid values for a specific filter like geography or time. This ensures your queries use the correct codes.

### get_observations
Query the actual data points from a dataset using specific filters. This is where you get the final numbers you need.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
What datasets do you have for UK house prices?
```

**Response:** 
```
🔍 **ONS Datasets: House Prices**

I found several datasets related to housing:
1. **house-prices-local-authority** — House prices by local authority
2. **housing-stock** — Dwelling stock estimates
3. **new-build** — New house building statistics
4. **private-rent** — Private rental market statistics

Would you like me to pull the specific dimensions for one of these?
```

**Prompt:** 
```
What are the geography options for the house-prices dataset?
```

**Response:** 
```
The **house-prices-local-authority** dataset includes the following dimensions for filtering:

*   **geography** (e.g., specific councils and local authorities)
*   **property-type** (e.g., detached, flat, semi-detached)
*   **time** (year and month)

I can use these to narrow down the data for you.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
What was the UK employment rate in the last quarter?
```

**Response:** 
```
I found the **employment-rate** dataset. Filtering for the most recent quarter, the estimated UK employment rate for people aged 16 to 64 was **74.8%**. This represents a slight increase from the previous quarter.
```

## Capabilities

### Search the ONS catalog
Find specific dataset IDs and titles using keywords like housing or employment.

### Browse the full dataset list
Access the complete catalog of over 337 datasets in one place.

### Pull dataset metadata
Get details on methodology, versions, and available dimensions for any dataset.

### Identify filter variables
See which dimensions are available to filter observations in a specific dataset.

### Get filter option values
Retrieve all valid codes for geography, time, or other categories.

### Query actual observations
Get the final data points you need by applying specific dimension filters.

## Use Cases

### Housing Market Analysis
A researcher wants to compare house prices. They ask the agent to find housing datasets, check dimensions for local authorities, and pull the latest prices.

### Economic Reporting
A journalist needs the latest employment rate. They ask the agent to find the employment dataset and pull the most recent quarter's data.

### Demographic Study
A student needs population data. They use the agent to browse the catalog, find population stats, and filter by specific regions and age groups.

### Trade Trend Tracking
A business analyst wants to see trade figures. They ask the agent to find trade datasets and query specific categories over a 5-year period.

## Benefits

- Skip the manual search. Use search_datasets to find the right data in seconds instead of clicking through government menus.
- Understand data context. Use get_dataset_info to see the methodology and versions before you start your analysis.
- Precise filtering. Use get_dimensions and get_dimension_options to find the exact geographic or time codes you need.
- Automated data pulling. Use get_observations to grab specific data points directly into your workflow without copy-pasting.
- Comprehensive coverage. Access over 337 datasets across economy, health, and population stats in one place.
- Faster research cycles. Move from a general question to a specific data point in a single conversation with your agent.

## How It Works

The bottom line is you get direct access to UK national statistics through a simple chat interface.

1. Ask your agent to search for a dataset using a keyword like housing or employment.
2. Have your agent check the available dimensions and filter options to see how the data is organized.
3. Request specific observations using the IDs and filter values you just discovered.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Can the UK ONS Discovery MCP find data on housing?**
Yes, it can search the full ONS catalog for housing-related datasets, including house prices, rental markets, and new builds.

**How do I get the latest employment figures?**
Your agent can use the Connector to find the specific employment rate dataset and pull the most recent quarter's data automatically.

**Can I filter statistics by region using the UK ONS Discovery MCP?**
Yes, the tool allows you to identify geography dimensions and filter for specific local authorities or regions.

**What kind of data is included in the ONS catalog?**
The catalog covers a wide range of topics, including the economy, population, health, trade, and business statistics.

**Is this tool good for academic research?**
It is excellent for academic research because it provides direct access to official methodology and verified government data points.

**Does it provide real-time data updates?**
It provides access to the latest available official statistics. For live, second-by-second data, you would need a different type of connection.

**How many datasets does the ONS have?**
The ONS API currently exposes 337+ datasets covering economy, population, health, trade, business, census, well-being, and more. New datasets are added regularly as part of the ONS Beta programme.

**What format does the data come in?**
The API provides programmatic access to statistical observations in JSON format. It uses a hypermedia-driven architecture, nesting dimension links, options, and hierarchy information within the responses.

**Is the API free to use?**
Yes, the ONS Developer API is completely free and open, requiring no authentication or API keys, allowing developers unrestricted access to UK national statistics.