How does fiscal austerity affect redistributive policies? We document that during episodes, countries tend to increase marginal income tax rates on top earners, but not average earners. then show that, in response an exogenously imposed rule, Italian municipalities local non-linear taxes progressively. They do adjust other policies. College-educated mayors are more likely than less educated imp...

Greece's economic crisis has deepened since it was bailed out by the international community in 2010. The country underwent the sixth consecutive year of economic contraction in 2013, with its economy shrinking by 20% between 2008 and 2012, and anaemic or no growth projected for 2014. Unemployment has more than tripled, from 7·7% in 2008 to 24·3% in 2012, and long-term unemployment reached 14·4...

417 ANALYSIS The NHS is facing serious revenue pressures if it is to meet the target of £15bn-20bn efficiency savings by 2013-4. 1 One important pressure for trust budgets in England is the annual private finance initiative (PFI) charge, which is ring fenced and indexed to inflation. Since 1991, all NHS trusts have had to pay a charge on NHS buildings and equipment to the Treasury, which averag...