Stat-Xplore MCP

MCP server for querying DWP Stat-Xplore benefit statistics.

Claude Code setup

claude mcp add stat-xplore -- uvx --from git+https://github.com/PolicyEngine/stat-xplore-mcp stat-xplore-mcp

On first use, you'll be prompted to enter your API key. Get one from Stat-Xplore under Account > Open Data API Access.

The API key is stored in ~/.config/stat-xplore-mcp/config.json. You can also set it via the STAT_XPLORE_API_KEY environment variable.

Tools

• list_databases - list all 118 benefit datasets (UC, PIP, ESA, etc.)
• get_database_schema - get fields and measures for a database
• query_table - query statistics data with full support for dimensions, recodes, and statistical functions
• browse_schema - navigate the schema hierarchy
• get_rate_limit - check API rate limit status

Query Examples

Basic count query

{
  "database": "str:database:HBAI",
  "measures": ["str:count:HBAI:V_F_HBAI"],
  "dimensions": [["str:field:HBAI:V_F_HBAI:YEAR"]]
}

Median income query

For median/mean calculations, use statistical function measures with the pattern: str:statfn:{database}:{view}:{measure}:{MEDIAN|MEAN}

{
  "database": "str:database:HBAI",
  "measures": [
    "str:statfn:HBAI:V_F_HBAI:S_OE_BHC:MEDIAN",
    "str:statfn:HBAI:V_F_HBAI:S_OE_AHC:MEDIAN"
  ],
  "dimensions": [
    ["str:field:HBAI:V_F_HBAI:YEAR"],
    ["str:field:HBAI:V_F_HBAI:KIDECOBU_WORK"]
  ],
  "recodes": {
    "str:field:HBAI:V_F_HBAI:YEAR": {
      "map": [
        ["str:value:HBAI:V_F_HBAI:YEAR:C_HBAI_YEAR:2223"],
        ["str:value:HBAI:V_F_HBAI:YEAR:C_HBAI_YEAR:2324"]
      ]
    },
    "str:field:HBAI:V_F_HBAI:KIDECOBU_WORK": {
      "map": [
        ["str:value:HBAI:V_F_HBAI:KIDECOBU_WORK:C_HBAI_KIDECOBU_WORK:1"]
      ]
    }
  }
}

Recodes structure

Recodes filter and group values:

• map: List of value groups. Each inner array becomes one row/column. Multiple values in same array are combined.
• total: Set to true to include a total row/column.

{
  "str:field:HBAI:V_F_HBAI:NEWFAMBU": {
    "map": [
      ["str:value:...:1"],
      ["str:value:...:2", "str:value:...:3"]
    ],
    "total": true
  }
}