Research: UK Government Spending Graphic

UK Government Spending by Department, 2009-10

This graphic is an illustration of UK Government Spending by Department in 2009-10:

Illustration: Jenny Ridley for the Guardian


"This is the most comprehensive atlas of public spending available, put together by us with the help of the Institute of Fiscal Studies."
Simon Rogers, The Guardian, 2010.


This graphic displays spending in the different departments of the UK government. I like the use of colour, shape and size to differentiate between the different departments and the levels of spending in each.


However, Although the layout is quite effective, I feel the graphic is fairly overwhelming and crowded with so much colour and shape that it becomes too great for the user to comprehend all at once. I think interactivity would be very beneficial for this graphic, particularly if the user has the ability to filter and layer the data so only specific information is displayed at one time.


I think i could use elements of this graphic for my own infographic - particularly the colour, size and shape aspects.