Promises of a special trading relationship with America have also yet to materialise, the ONS figures show. / New Government figures show a massive post-Brexit slump in UK exports to Germany, France, Italy and Spain – and reveal the UK failed to transition to key export markets such as the USA and China.

Imports from the EU fell by £500m in August, highlighting the “teething troubles” of the “post-Brexit universe”. / UK imports from the EU fell by £500m in August to reach £26bn, representing a 2% decline in value according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Exports to the EU also dropped in August, by £300m.

International delivery firm ParcelHero says August’s £800m fall in EU trade adds to the UK’s economic woes.

Pressure on supply chains is set to last throughout 2022, according to Logistics UK in a report that comes at the same time as fresh issues related to trade with Europe appear, with the government proposing unilateral action on Brexit.

“The entirely avoidable Brexit crisis has had as much of an impact on UK businesses as the unforeseeable Covid-19 tragedy, and its costs are still rising."

The political choice of Brexit has cost UK businesses as much as the unforeseeable Covid pandemic.

Brexit has cost UK businesses as much as Covid, according to research by delivery firm ParcelHero. / Over £250 billion has been lost to Covid-19 and an equal amount has now been lost as a result of Brexit, with the figure continuing to rise.

Exports recovered in February compared to the previous month, but "that is setting the bar exceedingly low".