British Volkswagen owners affected by the diesel emissions scandal have been told they will not receive any compensation, despite offering nearly 482,000 US customers a payout.

Volkswagen’s UK boss, Paul Willis, was questioned by House of Commons' Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee and asked why compensation was not offered in the UK.

Willis said the situation in the US is “very different” and that you “cannot compare the two situations”. This comes the day after US environmental regulators refused the companies recall plans.

Willis went on to say that the firm was focusing on the remedial work with its European customers rather than making payments.

With the KBA, the Germany federal transport authority, we have an agreement and we have a solution and that is what we're getting on with. Volkswagen UK Managing Director, Paul Willis

The car manufacturer admitted in September that it had fitted software to engines with the aim of “cheating” emissions tests.