There are lots of references here. Everyone in the UK seems to agree they have a austerity program.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_government_auste...

If the spending isn't going down that just means it's not working very well even for its stated purpouse, nevermind its damaging effects to the economy. More people will be falling on the social safety net programs.

Right, I forgot that part. If you look at spending, it's actually quite a challenge to see any real "austerity" going on. Spending is up and did not go down much in most of the western countries during the last years.

See this.

http://notthetreasuryview.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/the-austeri...