Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson stressed Britain was giving “full backing” to Ukraine amid a report that it will join America in allowing Kyiv to fire West-supplied long-range missiles into Russia.

Outgoing US president Joe Biden’s decision could see long-range missiles used initially in the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukrainian troops seized a swathe of territory in a surprise attack in the summer - ahead of Donald Trump taking office in January.

So, where does this leave British policy now, after many months of holding off approval for its version of the American ATACMS weapons, known as Storm Shadow?

We’re joined from Parliament by The London Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil. 

In part two, we speak with Erik Gauger, professor in quantum theory at Heriot-Watt university’s Institute of Photonics and quantum sciences in Edinburgh, about an innovative space energy project.

Researchers are seeking to use bacteria more usually found in ponds on earth help convert sunlight into laser beams to send power across space- could the technology be used on future Mars missions? 

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