Grand Designs presenter blames press for forcing a government U-turn on a ‘conservatory tax’

Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud blamed “scurrilous” reporting and “misinformation” for forcing a government U-turn on a so-called conservatory tax.

Ministers intended to introduce changes to the Building Regulations which would have required homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes when building extensions.
Plans were blocked by David Cameron after a backlash from newspapers, including the Daily Telegraph, which coined the term.

McCloud said: “It was a scurrilous piece of misinformation put about and it was highly distorted. I think the media find it difficult to sell green in any form.”