Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution which is generated from vehicle tyres and breaks is controlled in towns and cities.

The development of regulations to limit emissions from tyre and brake wear depends on the development of an internationally recognised test procedure for measuring them. This issue is being examined by the UN ECE Particle Measurement Programme (PMP), which includes DfT officials, other international governments, and the automotive industry. DfT is one of the founders of PMP and has played a leading role since its inception.

To support the work of the PMP group further, DfT commissioned a 3-year research project in February 2021 aimed at understanding better the measurement techniques, material properties and control parameters of tyre and brake wear emissions from road vehicles. This project will inform policy and legislation aiming at reducing these emissions on a domestic and international level.

Furthermore, Government is continuing to invest through Innovate UK grants in emerging technologies which reduce non-exhaust emissions.