Gloucester city centre's biggest private sector employer has spoken out at what it sees as a failure to help charities in this year's Budget.

Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical has expressed its disappointment at the Chancellor's failure to make charities exempt from paying Insurance Premium Tax (IPT).

The firm also said it was disappointed the Chancellor had not grasped what it saw as an opportunity to reduce the VAT on repairs to listed buildings - many of which it helps its customers insure.

Angus Roy, Ecclesiastical's charity director, said: "While we welcome the fact that IPT was not increased in the budget, we are disappointed the Government hasn't considered making charities exempt from IPT.

"Buying insurance is an unavoidable cost for charities - either because they are legally required to, or because they are acting responsibly by putting adequate protection in place for their activities and assets.

"The Government has long recognised that charities should be treated differently to commercial businesses by granting reductions and exemptions from other taxes, including VAT, business rate relief and Gift Aid so it seems unfair that IPT is an exception to that rule.

"The Government has missed an opportunity to put that right and we call on the Chancellor to reconsider his decision to reduce the negative impact that IPT is having on the work that charities do."

A spokesperson for Ecclesiastical Insurance, which has its headquarters in Gloucester and is one of the city's biggest private employers, said: "We're disappointed the Government hasn't considered reducing VAT on repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings in today's Budget.

"VAT on repairs gives an unfair tax advantage to developers and penalises owners of historic buildings, many of whom are private individuals, who are facing higher repair and maintenance costs.

"We need to do more to support the custodians of Britain's heritage properties, and while unfortunately this hasn't been addressed in this Budget, we urge the Government to reconsider reducing VAT to five per cent on repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings."