The Upper Bann MLA was speaking ahead of a motion calling on the UK Government to enter negotiations on a customs union with the European Union.

It follows reports that the European Commissioner for finance has said that the EU would be “open-minded” about discussing closer trade ties with the UK, including a customs union.

“Brexit has been a disaster for the UK economy, fuelling the cost-of-living crisis and resulting in red tape and new barriers to trade for businesses. Working families are paying the price through higher costs and weaker growth.

“Alliance consistently warned that there was no such thing as a good or sensible Brexit. Those warnings were ignored, with the DUP recklessly delivering a hard Brexit alongside Nigel Farage and the Conservatives against the wishes of a majority of people in Northern Ireland.

“Negotiating a UK-EU customs union is the single most significant step the Government could take. It would not only boost growth, put money back into people’s pockets, and generate billions for public services, but also eliminate customs red tape in the Irish Sea.

“Labour has been far too timid to date, tinkering around the edges of a trading relationship that is fundamentally broken. Alliance is pressing for the Government to get a grip on the cost-of-living crisis, slash Brexit bureaucracy, and begin negotiations on the UK-EU customs union without delay.”