API Documentation
The Insight Pipe API gives you unified, RESTful access to 30+ UK government and public data sources through a single API key.
All endpoints return JSON. Authenticate with a Bearer token, paginate with query parameters, and handle errors with standard HTTP status codes.
Base URL
All API requests must be made over HTTPS to the following base URL:
https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1
Authentication
Every request must include your API key in the Authorization header using the Bearer scheme:
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
API keys are issued when you subscribe to a plan. You can view and rotate keys from your dashboard at dashboard.insightpipe.co.uk.
Example: authenticated request
curl -s \ -H "Authorization: Bearer ip_live_abc123def456" \ https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/companies-house/companies?name=Acme
Missing or invalid API key
{
"status": "error",
"error": {
"code": "INVALID_API_KEY",
"message": "The API key provided is invalid or missing."
}
}
Expired API key
{
"status": "error",
"error": {
"code": "API_KEY_EXPIRED",
"message": "Your API key has expired. Please renew your subscription or generate a new key."
}
}
Rate Limits
Rate limits depend on your plan:
| Plan | Requests / day | Requests / second |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 1,000 | 2 |
| Simple (£17/mo) | 10,000 | 10 |
| Pro (£99/mo) | Unlimited | 50 |
Every response includes rate-limit headers:
| Header | Description |
|---|---|
X-RateLimit-Limit | Maximum requests allowed per day |
X-RateLimit-Remaining | Requests remaining in the current window |
X-RateLimit-Reset | Unix timestamp when the limit resets |
Rate limit exceeded
{
"status": "error",
"error": {
"code": "RATE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED",
"message": "You have exceeded your daily request limit. Resets at 2026-03-04T00:00:00Z.",
"retry_after": 3600
}
}
429 response, wait for the number of seconds specified in retry_after before retrying. Avoid tight retry loops.Pagination
All list endpoints support cursor-based pagination with these query parameters:
| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
page | integer | 1 | Page number |
per_page | integer | 25 | Results per page (max 100) |
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/companies-house/companies?page=2&per_page=50"
Error Handling
The API uses standard HTTP status codes. Errors always return a JSON body with a machine-readable code and human-readable message.
| Status | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | BAD_REQUEST | Invalid query parameters or malformed request |
| 401 | INVALID_API_KEY | Missing or invalid API key |
| 401 | API_KEY_EXPIRED | API key has expired — renew or rotate |
| 403 | FORBIDDEN | Your plan does not include this data source |
| 404 | NOT_FOUND | Resource or endpoint does not exist |
| 422 | VALIDATION_ERROR | Request understood but parameters are invalid |
| 429 | RATE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED | Too many requests — slow down |
| 500 | INTERNAL_ERROR | Server error — contact support if persistent |
| 503 | SOURCE_UNAVAILABLE | Upstream data source temporarily unavailable |
Success Response Format
Every successful response follows this structure:
{
"status": "success",
"data": [ /* array of results */ ],
"meta": {
"total": 1842,
"page": 1,
"per_page": 25,
"source": "companies_house",
"last_updated": "2026-03-01T06:00:00Z"
}
}
Error Response Format
{
"status": "error",
"error": {
"code": "ERROR_CODE",
"message": "Human-readable description of what went wrong.",
"details": {} // optional, extra context
}
}
Data Source Endpoints
Each UK data source is available under its own namespace. All endpoints support the standard pagination, filtering, and authentication described above.
Barking & Dagenham
/barking-dagenhamLondon Borough of Barking and Dagenham — local planning applications, council tax bands, and public service data.
Query parameters: postcode, status (submitted|approved|rejected), date_from, date_to
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/barking-dagenham/planning?postcode=IG11&status=approved"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"reference": "23/01234/FUL",
"address": "42 Longbridge Rd, Barking IG11 8SF",
"description": "Single storey rear extension",
"status": "approved",
"decision_date": "2025-11-14"
}],
"meta": { "total": 87, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Bristol City Council
/bristolBristol City Council — public services, planning, waste collection, and licensing data.
Query parameters: type (library|park|leisure), ward, postcode
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/bristol/services?type=library"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"name": "Bristol Central Library",
"type": "library",
"address": "College Green, Bristol BS1 5TL",
"lat": 51.4531,
"lng": -2.5990,
"open_hours": "Mon-Sat 09:00-17:00"
}],
"meta": { "total": 27, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Companies House
/companies-houseCompany registrations, filings, directors, and financial data for all UK-registered companies.
Query parameters: name, number, status (active|dissolved|liquidation), incorporated_from, incorporated_to, sic_code
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/companies-house/companies?name=Acme&status=active"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"company_number": "12345678",
"company_name": "ACME INNOVATIONS LTD",
"status": "active",
"type": "ltd",
"incorporated": "2019-03-15",
"address": "10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA",
"sic_codes": ["62012"]
}],
"meta": { "total": 1842, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
/icoData protection registrations, enforcement actions, and ICO decisions.
Query parameters: organisation, registration_number, postcode, status (current|expired)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/ico/registrations?organisation=Acme"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"registration_number": "ZA123456",
"organisation": "Acme Innovations Ltd",
"status": "current",
"start_date": "2024-06-01",
"expiry_date": "2025-05-31",
"tier": "1"
}],
"meta": { "total": 3, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Natural Resources Wales
/natural-resources-walesCyfoeth Naturiol Cymru — environmental permits, flood risk, water quality, and protected areas in Wales.
Query parameters: type (waste|water|industrial), holder, postcode, status
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/natural-resources-wales/permits?type=water"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"permit_id": "NRW-WP-004521",
"holder": "Welsh Water",
"type": "water",
"location": "Cardiff Bay, CF10",
"status": "active",
"issued": "2023-01-10"
}],
"meta": { "total": 215, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Valuation Office Agency
/valuation-officeCouncil tax bands, business rate valuations, and property assessments across England and Wales.
Query parameters: postcode, address, band (A-H)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/valuation-office/council-tax?postcode=SW1A+2AA"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"address": "10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA",
"band": "H",
"local_authority": "City of Westminster",
"effective_date": "1993-04-01"
}],
"meta": { "total": 1, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Cabinet Office
/cabinet-officeGovernment contracts, spend data, senior official transparency, and public appointments.
Query parameters: supplier, department, value_min, value_max, awarded_from, awarded_to
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/cabinet-office/contracts?value_min=100000"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"contract_id": "CO-2025-08432",
"title": "Cloud Infrastructure Services",
"supplier": "UK Cloud Solutions Ltd",
"value": 450000,
"currency": "GBP",
"awarded_date": "2025-09-20",
"department": "Cabinet Office"
}],
"meta": { "total": 312, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Care Quality Commission
/cqcCare provider registrations, inspection reports, and quality ratings across England.
Query parameters: name, postcode, type (hospital|care_home|gp|dental), rating (outstanding|good|requires_improvement|inadequate)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/cqc/providers?type=care_home&rating=outstanding"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"provider_id": "1-2345678901",
"name": "Sunrise Care Home",
"type": "care_home",
"rating": "outstanding",
"address": "14 Oak Lane, Surrey GU1 3AA",
"last_inspection": "2025-08-12"
}],
"meta": { "total": 48, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority
/glaaLicensed gangmasters, labour provider licences, and inspection outcomes.
Query parameters: holder, sector (agriculture|food_processing|shellfish), status (active|revoked|suspended)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/glaa/licences?sector=agriculture&status=active"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"licence_number": "GLAA-0045-2024",
"holder": "Harvest Staffing Ltd",
"sector": "agriculture",
"status": "active",
"issued": "2024-04-01",
"expiry": "2026-03-31"
}],
"meta": { "total": 134, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
The Insolvency Service
/insolvencyIndividual insolvencies, bankruptcies, debt relief orders, company winding-up petitions, and director disqualifications.
Query parameters: name, type (bankruptcy|iva|dro|compulsory_liquidation), court, date_from, date_to
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/insolvency/cases?type=bankruptcy&date_from=2025-01-01"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"case_number": "INS-2025-00842",
"type": "bankruptcy",
"name": "J. Smith",
"court": "High Court of Justice",
"date": "2025-03-14",
"status": "active"
}],
"meta": { "total": 2041, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Ordnance Survey
/ordnance-surveyGeographic data — postcodes, addresses, boundaries, and topographic datasets covering Great Britain.
Query parameters: query, postcode, uprn
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/ordnance-survey/postcodes/SW1A+2AA"
{
"status": "success",
"data": {
"postcode": "SW1A 2AA",
"lat": 51.50354,
"lng": -0.12768,
"admin_district": "Westminster",
"country": "England",
"region": "London",
"parliamentary_constituency": "Cities of London and Westminster"
}
}
NHS
/nhsNHS organisations, GP practices, hospital trusts, prescribing data, and waiting times.
Query parameters: name, type (gp|hospital|trust|ccg), postcode, ods_code
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/nhs/organisations?type=gp&postcode=E1"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"ods_code": "F84001",
"name": "The Whitechapel Practice",
"type": "gp",
"address": "30 Brady Street, London E1 5DJ",
"phone": "020 7247 1234",
"accepting_patients": true
}],
"meta": { "total": 23, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Public Health England
/phePublic health indicators, disease surveillance, health profiles, and mortality statistics.
Query parameters: indicator_id, area_code, area_type (county|district|region), year
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/phe/indicators?indicator_id=90366&area_code=E92000001"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"indicator_id": 90366,
"indicator_name": "Life expectancy at birth",
"area_code": "E92000001",
"area_name": "England",
"value": 81.3,
"unit": "years",
"year": 2024
}],
"meta": { "total": 1, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Cherwell District Council
/cherwellCherwell District Council — planning applications, council services, and local authority data for North Oxfordshire.
Query parameters: postcode, status, reference, date_from, date_to
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/cherwell/planning?postcode=OX16"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"reference": "25/00345/FUL",
"address": "7 Castle Street, Banbury OX16 5NU",
"description": "Change of use from office to residential",
"status": "pending",
"submitted": "2025-10-11"
}],
"meta": { "total": 62, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Department for Communities and Local Government
/dclgLocal government statistics, housing data, homelessness data, and council performance metrics.
Query parameters: local_authority, metric (starts|completions|stock), year
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/dclg/housing?metric=completions&year=2025"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"local_authority": "Manchester",
"metric": "completions",
"value": 3420,
"year": 2025,
"tenure": "all"
}],
"meta": { "total": 356, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
/hseWorkplace incidents, inspection reports, enforcement actions, and safety notices.
Query parameters: industry, severity (fatal|major|over_7_day), region, date_from, date_to
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/hse/incidents?severity=major&industry=construction"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"reference": "HSE-INC-2025-04230",
"industry": "construction",
"severity": "major",
"description": "Fall from height at building site",
"region": "North West",
"date": "2025-07-03"
}],
"meta": { "total": 189, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Leeds City Council
/leedsLeeds City Council — planning, licensing, bin collections, and public data for the Leeds metropolitan district.
Query parameters: postcode, ward, status, date_from, date_to
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/leeds/planning?ward=Headingley"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"reference": "25/03021/FUL",
"address": "16 Headingley Lane, Leeds LS6 1BL",
"description": "Loft conversion with rear dormer",
"status": "approved",
"ward": "Headingley & Hyde Park"
}],
"meta": { "total": 41, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Land & Property Services
/lpsNorthern Ireland land and property — domestic rates, property valuations, and mapping data.
Query parameters: postcode, address, type (domestic|non_domestic)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/lps/valuations?postcode=BT1+1AA"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"address": "1 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 1AA",
"capital_value": 285000,
"type": "domestic",
"valuation_date": "2005-01-01"
}],
"meta": { "total": 12, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Royal Mail
/royal-mailPostcode Address File (PAF) data — postcode lookups, address validation, and delivery point data.
Query parameters: postcode, building_number, building_name
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/royal-mail/addresses?postcode=EC2R+8AH"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"udprn": "12345678",
"address_line_1": "Bank of England",
"address_line_2": "Threadneedle Street",
"post_town": "London",
"postcode": "EC2R 8AH",
"delivery_point_type": "large_user"
}],
"meta": { "total": 5, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Dover District Council
/doverDover District Council — planning applications, council tax, and local services in the Dover district of Kent.
Query parameters: postcode, status, date_from, date_to
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/dover/planning?status=approved"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"reference": "25/00189/FUL",
"address": "8 Marine Parade, Dover CT17 9BQ",
"description": "Conversion of upper floors to flats",
"status": "approved",
"decision_date": "2025-12-10"
}],
"meta": { "total": 93, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
The Company Names Tribunal
/company-names-tribunalTribunal decisions on company name disputes under the Companies Act 2006.
Query parameters: company_name, outcome (upheld|dismissed), date_from, date_to
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/company-names-tribunal/decisions?outcome=upheld"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"case_number": "CNA/2025/0034",
"respondent_company": "Brand Lookalike Ltd",
"applicant": "Original Brand Holdings Plc",
"outcome": "upheld",
"decision_date": "2025-06-22"
}],
"meta": { "total": 28, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Gambling Commission
/gambling-commissionGambling licences, operator data, regulatory actions, and industry statistics.
Query parameters: operator, type (remote|non_remote|betting|casino|bingo|lottery), status (active|suspended|revoked)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/gambling-commission/licences?type=remote&status=active"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"account_number": "54321",
"operator": "SafeBet Online Ltd",
"type": "remote",
"activity": "casino",
"status": "active",
"licence_start": "2022-08-01"
}],
"meta": { "total": 847, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
HM Revenue & Customs
/hmrcVAT-registered traders, trade statistics, tax tribunal decisions, and excise data.
Query parameters: vat_number, name, postcode
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/hmrc/vat?vat_number=GB123456789"
{
"status": "success",
"data": {
"vat_number": "GB123456789",
"name": "Acme Innovations Ltd",
"address": "10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA",
"valid": true,
"registered_date": "2019-06-01"
}
}
HSENI (Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland)
/hseniWorkplace safety incidents, inspections, and enforcement actions in Northern Ireland.
Query parameters: industry, severity, county, date_from, date_to
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/hseni/incidents?county=Antrim"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"reference": "HSENI-2025-00312",
"industry": "manufacturing",
"severity": "major",
"county": "Antrim",
"description": "Worker injured by machinery",
"date": "2025-05-18"
}],
"meta": { "total": 42, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Food Standards Agency
/fsaFood hygiene ratings, food business registrations, alerts, and allergy data across the UK.
Query parameters: name, postcode, local_authority, rating (0-5), type (restaurant|takeaway|pub|hotel|school)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/fsa/hygiene-ratings?postcode=W1D&rating=5"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"fhrs_id": 987654,
"business_name": "The Golden Fork",
"type": "restaurant",
"rating": 5,
"address": "22 Dean Street, London W1D 3RY",
"inspection_date": "2025-09-05"
}],
"meta": { "total": 142, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Land Registry
/land-registryHM Land Registry — property sale prices, title data, and ownership information for England and Wales.
Query parameters: postcode, street, town, min_price, max_price, property_type (detached|semi|terraced|flat), date_from, date_to
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/land-registry/price-paid?postcode=SW1A+2AA&date_from=2024-01-01"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"transaction_id": "A1B2C3D4E5F6",
"price": 1250000,
"date": "2024-06-15",
"address": "Flat 3, 12 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA",
"property_type": "flat",
"new_build": false,
"tenure": "leasehold"
}],
"meta": { "total": 4, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Hull City Council
/hullKingston upon Hull City Council — planning, licensing, public services, and open data.
Query parameters: postcode, status, date_from, date_to
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/hull/planning?postcode=HU1"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"reference": "25/00712/FUL",
"address": "15 Queen Victoria Square, Hull HU1 3RQ",
"description": "Shop front alteration",
"status": "approved",
"decision_date": "2025-11-28"
}],
"meta": { "total": 35, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Metropolitan Police
/met-policeCrime data, stop and search records, neighbourhood policing, and outcome data for Greater London.
Query parameters: category (burglary|robbery|vehicle_crime|violent_crime|anti_social), postcode, lat, lng, radius (metres, max 1000), date (YYYY-MM)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/met-police/crimes?category=burglary&postcode=E1+6AN&date=2025-10"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"crime_id": "a8b2c3d4e5",
"category": "burglary",
"location": "On or near Commercial Road",
"lat": 51.5145,
"lng": -0.0652,
"date": "2025-10",
"outcome": "under_investigation"
}],
"meta": { "total": 18, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Office for National Statistics
/onsCensus data, population estimates, economic indicators, labour market data, and geographic classifications.
Query parameters: area_code, area_type (country|region|lad|ward), year, age_group
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/ons/population?area_code=E92000001&year=2025"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"area_code": "E92000001",
"area_name": "England",
"year": 2025,
"population": 57106400,
"male": 28215000,
"female": 28891400
}],
"meta": { "total": 1, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency)
/sepaEnvironmental data for Scotland — pollution, licences, flood warnings, air quality, and water monitoring.
Query parameters: holder, type (waste|water|pollution), local_authority, status
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/sepa/licences?type=waste&local_authority=Glasgow"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"licence_id": "SEPA-WML-0084",
"holder": "Glasgow Recycling Services",
"type": "waste",
"status": "active",
"local_authority": "Glasgow City",
"issued": "2021-03-20"
}],
"meta": { "total": 67, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Department for Work & Pensions
/dwpBenefits data, Universal Credit statistics, employment programmes, and welfare indicators.
Query parameters: benefit (universal_credit|pip|esa|jsa|pension_credit), area_code, area_type, quarter (YYYY-QN)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://api.insightpipe.co.uk/v1/dwp/benefits?benefit=universal_credit&area_code=E92000001&quarter=2025-Q4"
{
"status": "success",
"data": [{
"benefit": "universal_credit",
"area_code": "E92000001",
"area_name": "England",
"quarter": "2025-Q4",
"claimants": 5420000,
"in_employment": 2140000,
"searching_for_work": 1860000
}],
"meta": { "total": 1, "page": 1, "per_page": 25 }
}
Need Help?
Have questions or need assistance integrating? Reach out at hello@insightpipe.co.uk — we typically respond within 4 hours on business days.
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