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.

UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets MCP Server for AutoGen 6 tools — connect in under 2 minutes

Name: UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets
Availability: InStock
Author: Vinkius

microsoft.github.io/autogen/docs/tools/mcp-tools

Built by Vinkius GDPR 6 Tools Framework

Microsoft AutoGen enables multi-agent conversations where agents negotiate, delegate, and execute tasks collaboratively. Add UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets as an MCP tool provider through Vinkius and every agent in the group can access live data and take action.

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Vinkius supports streamable HTTP and SSE.

python

import asyncio
from autogen_agentchat.agents import AssistantAgent
from autogen_ext.tools.mcp import McpWorkbench

async def main():
    # Your Vinkius token. get it at cloud.vinkius.com
    async with McpWorkbench(
        server_params={"url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"},
        transport="streamable_http",
    ) as workbench:
        tools = await workbench.list_tools()
        agent = AssistantAgent(
            name="uk_ons_discovery_search_337_statistical_datasets_agent",
            tools=tools,
            system_message=(
                "You help users with UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets. "
                "6 tools available."
            ),
        )
        print(f"Agent ready with {len(tools)} tools")

asyncio.run(main())

UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets

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* Every MCP server runs on Vinkius-managed infrastructure inside AWS - a purpose-built runtime with per-request V8 isolates, Ed25519 signed audit chains, and sub-40ms cold starts optimized for native MCP execution. See our infrastructure

About UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets MCP Server

Full access to the ONS dataset catalog with discovery and query tools.

AutoGen enables multi-agent conversations where agents negotiate, delegate, and collaboratively use UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets tools. Connect 6 tools through Vinkius and assign role-based access. a data analyst queries while a reviewer validates, with optional human-in-the-loop approval for sensitive operations.

What you can do

Search — Find datasets by keyword
Browse — Paginated catalog access
Metadata — Dataset details, methodology, contacts
Dimensions — Available filter variables
Options — Valid values for each dimension
Query — Flexible observations with dimension filters

The UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets MCP Server exposes 6 tools through the Vinkius. Connect it to AutoGen in under two minutes — no API keys to rotate, no infrastructure to provision, no vendor lock-in. Your configuration, your data, your control.

How to Connect UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets to AutoGen via MCP

Follow these steps to integrate the UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets MCP Server with AutoGen.

Install AutoGen

Run pip install "autogen-ext[mcp]"

Replace the token

Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your Vinkius token

Integrate into workflow

Use the agent in your AutoGen multi-agent orchestration

Explore tools

The workbench discovers 6 tools from UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets automatically

Why Use AutoGen with the UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets MCP Server

AutoGen provides unique advantages when paired with UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets through the Model Context Protocol.

Multi-agent conversations: multiple AutoGen agents discuss, delegate, and collaboratively use UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets tools to solve complex tasks

Role-based architecture lets you assign UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets tool access to specific agents. a data analyst queries while a reviewer validates

Human-in-the-loop support: agents can pause for human approval before executing sensitive UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets tool calls

Code execution sandbox: AutoGen agents can write and run code that processes UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets tool responses in an isolated environment

UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets + AutoGen Use Cases

Practical scenarios where AutoGen combined with the UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets MCP Server delivers measurable value.

Collaborative analysis: one agent queries UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets while another validates results and a third generates the final report

Automated review pipelines: a researcher agent fetches data from UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets, a critic agent evaluates quality, and a writer produces the output

Interactive planning: agents negotiate task allocation using UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets data to make informed decisions about resource distribution

Code generation with live data: an AutoGen coder agent writes scripts that process UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets responses in a sandboxed execution environment

UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets MCP Tools for AutoGen (6)

These 6 tools become available when you connect UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets to AutoGen via MCP:

get_dataset_info

Get metadata for an ONS dataset: dimensions, editions, versions

get_dimension_options

g., all geography codes, all time periods, all aggregate categories). Use this to find the correct filter values for observations. Get all option values for a specific dimension in an ONS dataset

get_dimensions

Each dimension has options you can use to filter observations. Essential for understanding what query parameters to use. Get available dimensions and filter options for an ONS dataset

get_observations

Provide dataset ID and dimension filters. Use search_datasets to find IDs and get_dimensions to discover available filters. Set time=* for full time series. Query any ONS dataset by ID with flexible dimension filters

list_datasets

The catalog contains 337+ datasets covering economy, population, health, trade, business, and more. Browse the complete ONS dataset catalog with pagination

search_datasets

Returns matching dataset IDs, titles, and descriptions. Use this to find the right dataset before querying data. Search ONS datasets by keyword — explore 337+ available datasets

Example Prompts for UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets in AutoGen

Ready-to-use prompts you can give your AutoGen agent to start working with UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets immediately.

"What ONS datasets are available about housing?"

"Can you list the variables (dimensions) available for the house-prices dataset?"

"What is the latest data on the UK employment rate?"

Troubleshooting UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets MCP Server with AutoGen

Common issues when connecting UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets to AutoGen through the Vinkius, and how to resolve them.

McpWorkbench not found

Install: pip install "autogen-ext[mcp]"

UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets + AutoGen FAQ

Common questions about integrating UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets MCP Server with AutoGen.

How does AutoGen connect to MCP servers?

Create an MCP tool adapter and assign it to one or more agents in the group chat. AutoGen agents can then call UK ONS Discovery — Search 337+ Statistical Datasets tools during their conversation turns.

Can different agents have different MCP tool access?

Yes. AutoGen's role-based architecture lets you assign specific MCP tools to specific agents, so a querying agent has different capabilities than a reviewing agent.