An iconic English cathedral could facing ruin amid Rachel Reeves's so-called "cultural vandalism" VAT raid on church repairs.
Since April, listed places of worship have been required to pay the full 20 per cent rate on all upkeep.
Railing against the changes at the time, Reform UK's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick branded the Chancellor a "cultural vandal".
Mr Jenrick described the situation as particularly "tragic" given that churches across the country are falling into disrepair.
And now, the famous Lincoln Cathedral - which requires £15,000 daily to run - faces the prospect of exhausting its funds for essential restoration work, according to its most senior clergyman.
The Very Rev Dr Simon Jones, the Dean of Lincoln, has warned that securing money to preserve the medieval structure could pose the cathedral's greatest challenge yet.
"There will come a day that we will run out of money. That's the reality we face," Dr Jones said.
The historic building, whose foundations date back to 1072 and once stood as the tallest man-made structure on Earth, currently appears on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.
Lincoln Cathedral faces the prospect of exhausting its funds for essential restoration work
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Restoration of the chapter house is currently underway, with costs expected to reach £2.3million.
The clergyman said: "The current funding model for our cathedral and all cathedrals isn't sustainable. It doesn't work."
Its yearly insurance costs alone amount to £250,000 for the cathedral, while energy, routine upkeep, cleaning and staff wages add further financial pressure.
The building's vast scale means even replacing a light bulb may necessitate hiring a cherry picker.
A three-year agreement with a local green energy supplier has reduced the cathedral's energy expenditure by £40,000 per year.
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Railing against the changes, Robert Jenrick branded the Chancellor a 'cultural vandal'
| GETTY"The people of Lincoln have come here to worship and in times of celebration and sorrow for nearly a thousand years," Dr Jones said.
"It shines out as a beacon of hope over our city and county and we want it to continue to do so."
The Church Commissioners have acknowledged the difficulties involved in preserving historic structures and say they offer various forms of assistance.
Between 2026 and 2028, more than £48million has been set aside for cathedral support.
The Cathedrals Sustainability Fund, meanwhile, has distributed £20million over the previous six years.
The building's vast scale means even replacing a light bulb may necessitate hiring a cherry picker
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Grants are allocated to 34 cathedrals depending on their individual financial circumstances and requirements.
The commissioners also cover salaries and pensions for Lincoln's dean and two canons.
Government heritage schemes provide some funding for religious buildings.
The £92million Places of Worship Renewal Fund was unveiled by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to offer capital grants for repairs earlier this year - though, as critics have pointed out, not VAT.
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