What really lies behind the phrase ‘budget constraints’ when officials explain why a promising idea hasn’t been adopted? In this insightful blog, Louise Shaxson draws on her research and experience within the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to demonstrate how evidence and funding are inextricably linked within the government. 

She explains that the so-called ‘evidence budget’ is not a fixed pot but rather a constantly negotiated process. Specialists and policymakers must trade off priorities, make bids for resources, and frame evidence needs in a way that justifies investment. This dynamic, which she describes as ‘collaborative entanglement’, highlights how evidence use is shaped as much by organisational politics and financial accountability as by technical quality. 

For researchers and practitioners alike, the message is clear: understanding how evidence is resourced inside government departments is vital for understanding how it is actually used. This blog is handy for those working at the intersection of research and policy, reminding us that without a budget line, even the best ideas may never move beyond the page.