Combined Online Information System
The Combined Online Information System (COINS) is a database containing HM Treasury's detailed analysis of departmental spending under thousands of category headings.[1] The database contains around 24 million lines of data.[1] The database has codes for more than 1,700 public bodies in the United Kingdom including central government departments, local authorities, NHS trusts and public corporations.[2] COINS is used by the Office for National Statistics for statistical purposes.[3]
The Treasury describes the database as "a web based multi-dimensional database used by HM Treasury to collect financial information".[4] Data from the COINS database is used to prepare the National Accounts.[5]
Structure and technical details
The Combined Online Information System or COINS database is one of the biggest datasets in government.[6] COINS uses a database called Camelot.[6] The system is supplied by Descisys.[6]
History
COINS replaced three separate systems previously used by the British Government, Public Expenditure System (PES), Government Online Data System (GOLD) and General Expenditure Monitoring System (GEMS).[7]
Disclosure
The Treasury turned down requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for data contained in COINS prior to the 2010 General Election.[1] However, after promises during the election campaign to publish the database if elected,[8] the coalition government has made available all 120GB of COINS data in a raw format as of 4 June 2010.[9][10] The hope in doing so is that this will spur third party organisations to find innovative ways to present this information to the public.
References
- ^ a b c How big is the COINS database?, BBC
- ^ Response to Freedom of Information request made through WhatDoTheyKnow.com
- ^ It is also used by the ONS for statistical purposes.
- ^ "HM-treasury.gov.uk". Archived from the original on 2010-04-23. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
- ^ "The-stationery-office.co.uk". Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
- ^ a b c Guardian.co.uk
- ^ COINS Training and basic report
- ^ "We will publish Coins straight away if we get into government." 2010: the first data election, Guardian
- ^ "Government to publish entire spending database", The Guardian
- ^ HM-treasury.gov.uk
External links
- COINS official site at HM Government
- COINS official site at HM Treasury
- Coins (Combined Online Information System) full coverage at The Guardian
- Where Does My Money Go? User-friendly interface for COINS from the Open Knowledge Foundation
- HM Treasury Case Study[permanent dead link] from Information Edge