Inside Politics: Michael Gove meets retailers to sort out Brexit software mess

Freight specialists say system designed to help companies submit paperwork digitally won’t be ready for 1 January, writes Adam Forrest

Boris Johnson and Michael Gove have played up the benefits of Brexit (Reuters)

A leading political scientist has predicted future societies will colonise space and use asteroids to destroy each other’s planets, since we can’t get rid of our tribal instincts. It’s hard to imagine Britain ever becoming advanced enough to have intergalactic feuds. Right now, we’re stuck squabbling about whether we can afford to give the poorest families £15-a-week meal vouchers. We’re certainly not advanced enough for a smooth Brexit transition – Boris Johnson has been warned of a major mess ahead, as vital software won’t be ready in time for 1 January. Spacefaring and asteroid wars will have to wait.

Inside the bubble

Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for today: