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]

"COINS" redirects here. For other uses, see COINS (disambiguation).

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] After promises during the election campaign to publish the database if elected,[8] the Cameron–Clegg coalition government made available all 120 GB of COINS data in a raw format as of 4 June 2010.[9][10] The hope is that this will spur third party organisations to find innovative ways to present this information to the public.

References
  1. How big is the COINS database?, BBC
  2. Response to Freedom of Information request made through WhatDoTheyKnow.com
  3. It is also used by the ONS for statistical purposes.
  4. "HM-treasury.gov.uk". Archived from the original on 2010-04-23. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  5. "The-stationery-office.co.uk". Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  6. Evans, Lisa (May 3, 2010). "How to get COINS out of the Treasury". the Guardian.
  7. "Programme Objects from the COINS database - a Freedom of Information request to Her Majesty's Treasury". WhatDoTheyKnow. February 9, 2010.
  8. "We will publish Coins straight away if we get into government." 2010: the first data election, Guardian
  9. "Government to publish entire spending database", The Guardian
  10. "HM Treasury". GOV.UK.
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