Crossword Genius

Clichéd description of government cuts often used in news gig, shamelessly (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

swingeing

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'cliched description of government cuts often' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'in news gig shamelessly' is the wordplay.
'shamelessly' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'in'+'news'+'gig'='innewsgig'
'innewsgig' is an anagram of 'SWINGEING'.

'used' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for swingeing that I've seen before include "Painfully severe (cuts, fine)" , "Extreme" , "Huge" , "Thumping" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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