Debts, lower oil prices and regional competition compelled Venezuela to cut consumer subsidies and other government spending.

How much money would a cut in consumer subsidies on natural gas save?

At least 25 percent of those allowances will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to consumer subsidies or conservation projects.

Cuts in consumer subsidies led to increases in the price of food, medicine, transportation services, and energy.

The FCC could consider means-tested consumer subsidies for satellite services.

Some changes, like phasing out consumer subsidies and letting interest rates rise toward market levels, will be painful to the poorest Indonesians.

Government patronage and consumer subsidies financed by oil surpluses had helped build a broad consensus.

That involves everything from privatizing public enterprises to eliminating consumer subsidies to nourishing competitive banking.

Third, even a gradual attack on job security or consumer subsidies carries a risk of political backlash.

Reductions in consumer subsidies have strengthened the financial standing of the government, and high oil prices compensate for Iraq's anemic production levels.