Volkswagen Emissions Scandal: Department for Transport brings emissions testing in-house

The Government is also working with other EU member states to ensure an integrated approach

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announces 'neither cars nor the testing facilities will be provided by the vehicle industry'

The Government won’t trust the car industry to put its own house in order in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions affair.

That’s the message delivered by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin when he announced: ‘Neither cars nor the testing facilities will be provided by the vehicle industry themselves.’

Tests on VW Group cars and vans fitted with the ‘defeat device’ at the heart of the scandal will be run by the Department for Transport and Vehicle Certification Agency alongside the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

‘The Vehicle Certification Agency is working with manufacturers to ensure this issue is not industry-wide,’ said McLoughlin in an interview with the BBC.

The Government is also working with other member states to ensure an integrated approach across the EU.

‘This is an issue affecting just one company,’ said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in a statement. ’There is no evidence to suggest that any other company is involved, let alone that this is an industry-wide issue.’