Hmm, I’m quite skeptical of those figures. Are they including spending on paying off the debt? Because that’s the whole point of cutting spending on other areas.
It’s also interesting how the OP keeps contrasting spending cuts with tax increases as though there is some kind of paradox or inconsistency there.
But yeah, I live in the UK and the supposed austerity here has been token.
Even during the good times many were aware that public spending had got out of control and the unions were too strong. Now more than ever drastic action must be taken but it’s politically untenable.