Alliance Economy spokesperson Kate Nicholl MLA welcomed the UK Government's new legislation to streamline adoption of EU single market rules into UK law. She described removing UK-EU market barriers as the best option short of full EU rejoining to stabilise businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland.

Ms Nicholl serves on the Stormont Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee. She called Brexit an economic setback that reduced investment and GDP compared to remaining in the EU.

Greater UK-EU regulatory alignment would aid businesses and consumers, Ms Nicholl said. In Northern Ireland, it would deliver stability amid Brexit uncertainty. She supported parliamentary oversight of EU matters but endorsed the legislation's core content.

Closer UK-EU ties would simplify trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, according to Ms Nicholl. She called for Northern Ireland to gain more input early in the legislative process through high-level talks and an enhanced Brussels office.

Brexit placed borders and barriers at the heart of politics, Ms Nicholl noted. Fewer such obstacles and more certainty would benefit businesses and consumers.