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Only neoliberal economists would ever suggest that austerity is good for growth. They tried it in the 1930s and the loss in revenue made the huge debts incurred during World War I much bigger as that debt remained the same, but there was less money to pay them.
Keynes was one of the first to see this problem. As is being proved beyond doubt now (despite Mr Osbournes spurious claims) austerity only makes things worse, and in fact in most cases, it INCREASES the debt, it doesn’t diminish it.
The fact that China, that has in most cases has done the polar opposite of the UK in economic terms is thriving, speaks volumes.
To get out of a recession, you have to spend, and spend big, not cut.
In fact, cutting is the worst possible thing you could do!