The Britain-India trade deal is a sign of things to come
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BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Car brake pads to change under new rules to curb pollution
Garage owner Kevan Gibbons has noticed many changes in his 45 years in the motor are much bigger than when he started out. Driving styles have changed too, with more frequent that starting and stopping, which tends to happen more when driving in urban areas, wears down brakes do heavier vehicles and higher pad quality and prices have also lowered over time, in Mr Gibbons' experience. This is significant because "the poorer the quality, the more dust you get", he explains. While tailpipe emissions have dramatically reduced, other cars parts are producing a greater share of the many major cities, brake wear is now the biggest source of non-exhaust emissions from vehicles, according to EIT Urban Mobility - an EU-supported organisation focused on improving urban "there seems to be limited awareness of this pollution," says its director of innovation, Adriana dust contains tiny bits of metal, black carbon and other particles that enter the air due to friction and the wearing away of braking are even some studies which suggest brake dust is even more harmful to the lungs than diesel vehicles produce no exhaust emissions and have much less brake wear. Regenerative braking in EVs, which recharges the battery, does not involve friction. However, even EVs with regenerative braking also incorporate some friction the auto industry is poised to properly tackle brake emissions for the first time as the European Union introduces the world's first rules limiting the level of brake emissions next year. Under the new Euro 7 regulations, brake emissions of PM10 (particles of less than 10 micrometres in diameter) from new vehicles will be limited to 3–11 mg/km, depending on the vehicle type. At the moment, a typical car with a grey cast iron brake disc and low-steel brake pads – a common combination in Europe – emits about 8.8 mg/kg of PM10, according to EIT Urban EU predicts that by 2035, the regulations will reduce the particles emitted from the brakes of cars and vans by 27%.Other regions are likely to follow suit. "China will be the next," says Artur García, an aftermarket braking engineering manager for the auto parts maker DRiV (part of Tenneco).He's expecting so-called China 7 regulations to be announced by the end of 2025, and to focus more on PM2.5 (particles even tinier than PM10).Euro 7 is starting with brake emissions before moving onto other types of non-exhaust simpler to measure brake emissions than other types of non-exhaust emissions "because you can isolate the braking system in labs", explains François Cuenot, the secretary of the Working Party on Pollution and Energy, a UN organisation that sets standards for measuring vehicle to brakes, it's much more difficult to separate out the emissions from tyres and roads, which interact with each other in complex ways. There are two main ways that manufacturers will reduce brake emissions, Mr Cuenot cheapest method involves applying a coating that strengthens brake discs and thus reduces wear. Manufacturers can also change the composition of the brake pads to lower-wear regions have embraced different brake pad components, with a focus on either performance or comfort. Africa, Europe, Latin America and South Asia tend to use low-steel brake pads, which are more responsive to the organic brake pads are used more in North America and East Asia. They allow smoother driving over long distances, as well as significant reductions in are also concerns about the toxicity of brake pad components, which can affect water quality and human health. The EU bans asbestos in brake pads, while California goes further in also restricting 7 does not further limit materials in brake pads. In general, EIT Urban Mobility is concerned that low-wear brake systems might use more toxic materials. But some manufacturers have decided to go further than the regulations. The Greentell brake set of Italian brake manufacturer Brembo does not contain copper, cobalt or relies on a technique called laser metal deposition, which uses a high-powered laser beam to melt a material (such as a powdered metal) and layer it onto a Carminati, Brembo's head of brake-disc development, says that the company chose laser metal deposition for this premium brake product because it produces the best results in terms of both emissions reduction and driving reports that with Greentell, PM10 emissions are reduced by around 60 to 90% in lab-based testing, depending on the vehicle and its original braking auto parts maker Tenneco also offers copper-free, lower-emissions brake products. According to the company, its Fuse+ brake pads, which use a new friction material, reduced PM10 emissions by 60% in internal also help reduce noise – an aspect that drivers of electric vehicles tend to notice more, such as squeaky brakes. As for other materials, EIT Urban Mobility estimates that replacing grey cast iron discs with carbon-ceramic composite discs reduces PM10 by 81%.Particle filters can also be fitted to collect the brake dust. But regularly maintaining the filter may be a burden for the vehicle owner, Mr Cuenot says. And "if you don't maintain the filter, then the emissions will go in the atmosphere."Drum brakes might also see a resurgence because of Euro 7. In drum brakes, friction is generated by brake shoes pressing against the interior of a rotating drum. Because "they keep everything inside the drum," as Mr Cuenot says, the particles are also has noticed that though drum brake demand in the automotive aftermarket was previously declining rapidly, this has to EIT Urban Mobility, drum brakes produce around 23% less wear than disc brakes, which involve a rotating disc and brake pads. However, drum brakes have typically been less durable than disc brakes, particularly in high less-emitting brake systems, drivers might eventually notice less brake dust accumulating on the rims of their wheels, according to Mr Cuenot. Car makers, meanwhile, may notice more expensive brake parts. Companies will have to contend with the added costs of not just research and development and different materials, but also potentially new testing systems to comply with and premium vehicles may already be fitted out with low-emissions brake systems, which are costlier. The EU regulations will lead to these being extended to more affordable cars as the picture will be different in places without limits on non-exhaust emissions, like the UK. In Mr Gibbons' experience, working in Manchester in the north of England, nine out of 10 customers don't care about the health or environmental effects of things like brake the high cost of living, "it just comes down to one word, and that's money."On the plus side, lowering brake emissions should improve air quality. But mobility experts emphasise that this is only a very limited solution to the health and environmental effects of cars, including electric ones."I think it's good that there is a specific and concrete call for action," Ms Diaz says. "It's absolutely necessary." But she stresses that bigger wins will come from reorganising cities and shifting transport modes so that there's less driving is more challenging politically than imposing a brake emissions limit, but Ms Diaz remains optimistic after seeing Barcelona residents increasingly enjoying and accepting low-traffic superblocks."There will be resistance, but in the end people will appreciate and welcome having cleaner cities that we can enjoy."
The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Cross-Channel migrants to be detained as France treaty comes into force
It also means that anyone arriving in a small boat can be detained immediately, and space has been set aside at immigration removal centres in the expectation that detentions will begin within days. The Prime Minister said the ratification of the treaty will 'send a clear message – if you come here illegally on a small boat you will face being sent back to France'. But opposition parties have criticised the deal amid reports that the pilot scheme will see only 50 people a week returned to France while this year has seen a weekly average of more than 800 people make the crossing. More than 25,000 people have already crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025, a record figure for this point in the year (Gareth Fuller/PA) The deal has also been criticised by refugee charities, which have urged the Government to provide more safe, legal routes for asylum seekers instead. Ministers have so far declined to say how many people could be returned under the deal, and insist that if the pilot is successful the figure will increase. Under the terms of the agreement, announced during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit last month, adults arriving on small boats will face being returned to France if their asylum claim is inadmissible. In exchange, the same number of people will be able to come to the UK on a new legal route, provided they have not attempted a crossing before and subject to documentation and security checks. The Home Office said it had also learned from the 'lengthy legal challenges' over the previous government's Rwanda scheme and would 'robustly defend' any attempts to block removal through the courts. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the agreement would help undermine the business model of people smugglers (Jacob King/PA) It is the first such deal with France, with the pilot scheme set to run until June 2026, pending a longer-term agreement. Sir Keir said the deal was 'The product of months of grown-up diplomacy delivering real results for British people'. He added: 'The days of gimmicks and broken promises are over – we will restore order to our borders with the seriousness and competence the British people deserve.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said it was 'an important step towards undermining the business model of the organised crime gangs that are behind these crossings – undermining their claims that those who travel to the UK illegally can't be returned to France'. Ratification of the deal comes as both Britain and France battle to bring the small boats problem under control, with 2025 on course to be a record year for crossings. Some 25,436 people have already made the journey this year, according to PA news agency analysis of Home Office figures – 49% higher than at the same point in 2024. This summer has already seen a series of protests staged outside hotels housing asylum seekers (Lucy North/PA) The issue has also sparked concern that a series of protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers could lead to public disorder similar to last year's riots. On Monday, the Home Office announced it was providing another £100 million to tackle people smuggling and would introduce new powers to seize devices from people suspected of facilitating crossings. Ministers have also launched a crackdown on illegal working in an effort to reduce the 'pull factors' said to be encouraging people to make the journey, while French authorities have changed their guidance to allow police officers to intercept boats while they are in shallow waters. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp attacked the plans, saying they would return 'just 6% of illegal arrivals' and 'make no difference whatsoever'. He added: 'The Rwanda removals deterrent, under which 100% of illegal arrivals would be removed, was ready to go last summer but Labour cancelled it just days before it was due to start with no proper replacement plan. As a result, this year so far has been the worst ever for illegal immigrants crossing the Channel. 'Only removing all illegal immigrants upon arrival will provide the necessary deterrent to stop the crossings. This is the Conservative plan, but Labour is too weak to implement it and as a result they have lost control of our borders.' While the Conservatives' Rwanda plan was in theory uncapped, it was expected to take only around 1,000 asylum seekers in its first five years of operation thanks to limited capacity in the East African nation. The plan, which Sir Keir had previously dismissed as a 'gimmick', was scrapped as one of the first acts of the incoming Labour Government last year.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Britons are racking up VAT-free shopping bill on Continent of £742MILLION
British shoppers are deserting UK stores and flocking to the EU to benefit from tax-free shopping. VAT-free spending on the Continent by Britons increased fivefold from 2021 to £742 million last year, Association of International Retail (AIR) data shows. The figures pile fresh pressure on ministers to reintroduce tax-free shopping for international visitors to the UK. Rishi Sunak scrapped it in 2021. But the move enraged many businesses, and the Mail's Scrap The Tourist Tax campaign was launched in support of calls for it to be reintroduced. Campaigners believe that the decision to axe the scheme is driving tourists away from London and Edinburgh to cities such as Paris, Madrid and Milan. Derrick Hardman, chairman of AIR, said it makes 'no sense for the UK to remain the only destination in Europe not offering tax-free shopping'. Hotelier Sir Rocco Forte added: 'The decision of the last government to scrap tax-free shopping, which had been available for decades, should be reversed immediately.' A HM Treasury spokesman said: 'We are supporting the continued growth of this industry.' Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been blamed for pushing restaurants and pubs into 'survival mode' as two venues have shut per day for the first half of 2025. The number of hospitality sites plunged by 374 to 98,746 sites at the end of June, market research firm NIQ and consultancy AlixPartners found. Labour's tax raid on employers was blamed for the fall.
