"The Liberal Democrats have helped to create more than a million jobs in the private sector - now we want to help create a million more. Manufacturing is absolutely crucial to that and UK manufacturing growth hitting a two and a half year high is fantastic news.

"These figures are welcome but there is a long way to go. For years Labour and Conservative governments let British manufacturing collapse, the Liberal Democrats are determined to rebuild it in order to drive our economic recovery.

"That's why we are putting billions of pounds into high-tech manufacturing, science and renewable energy. And it's why we are massively increasing the number of apprenticeships to make sure employers get the skilled workers they need."

From today, 130,000 two-year olds from the poorest homes will be eligible for 15 hours of free childcare a week with a nursery or childminder.

The Government is investing more than £500 million into childcare this year and £100 million through local authorities to create new places to ensure those children eligible right now can benefit from these places.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:

"From today, if you're a parent on a low income with a two year old in the family your child will qualify for 15 hours a week of free early years' education.

"These funded places are focused on helping the families that need them most."

You can read the full speech on the gov.uk website here.

Next year the Government will be investing £760m to help an additional 130,000 two-year-olds in families on less than £16,190 a year who receive working tax credits.

"The man who saved the United Kingdom" - it has been said that this title awaits Michael Moore if the Scottish people vote to stay in the UK in next year's Independence referendum. He has even been called "Westminster's answer to James Bond," by the Independent's John Rentoul, but the Secretary of State for Scotland is pragmatic:

Arriving late on Monday evening, he spent the night at main UK base Camp Bastion, before visiting one of the few remaining small patrol bases still operated by British troops to talk with those serving there about the progress made as they train and advise Afghan forces.

The number of British bases has reduced over time as the Afghan National Security Forces have taken the lead for security across Helmand Province. The growing capability of Afghan forces has allowed British troops to move from a combat role to one of mentoring and training.

Danny Alexander said:

"I was impressed to see the work that British troops are doing to help Afghan forces to operate by themselves and take on the security challenges facing the Afghan government.

"I have nothing but admiration for the professionalism with which our Armed Forces take on this challenge.

"My time here has shown once again this is a hugely professional Armed Forces that we are proud to have as a country. The job that's being done here in Afghanistan is first rate and I've been hugely impressed by what I've seen."

The new funding will help more than 50 female MPs and 100 female provincial councillors with training in essential political skills and will go to encouraging women to vote and take part in the 2014 Presidential and Provincial elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections.

Despite recent progress in women's rights in Afghanistan, women still face very significant challenges, from physical violence to psychological abuse. A 2012 survey by the Asia Foundation found that almost half (46%) of those surveyed believed that men should advise or be consulted before a woman votes.

Danny Alexander heard from Afghan women about how they are seeking to overcome these challenges and play an active role in the country's upcoming elections.

Danny Alexander said:

"To truly rebuild Afghanistan, we have to get women voting and standing for election. Women are the key to building a democratic and safe country. They are the future of Afghanistan. Having taken Afghanistan out of the hands of terrorists, we are now working hard to return it to the people. This extra funding will help women lead the way."

"Education is a key part of improving the lives of Afghanistan's women and girls. It is critical to upholding women's rights and improving their job opportunities. There are no short-term, quick-fix solutions.

"Around six million children regularly attend school. This includes well over two million girls, compared with virtually none under the Taliban. The support which the UK is providing to education and female participation in elections will play a big part in improving the lives of generations of Afghan women and girls."

We expect to organise it for the afternoon and will let you know as soon as possible the exact time.

The Prime Minister
The Deputy Prime Minister
Secretary William Hague
Secretary Theresa May
Secretary Philip Hammond
Mr Dominic Grieve

This House:

Deplores the use of chemical weapons in Syria on 21 August 2013 by the Assad regime, which caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries of Syrian civilians;

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson, Stephen Williams said:

"Fixing the economy was always going to take time, but these upgraded figures are another encouraging sign that the economy is on the mend.

"After wrecking the economy, Labour spent the last years rubbishing the Coalition's growth plan. They were wrong. Slowly but surely the economy is recovering.

"The Liberal Democrats are building a stronger economy and a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life. Getting growth going and creating jobs is at the heart of that. We have helped businesses create a million jobs, now we want to help create a million more."

£77m will be divided between Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford and Norwich, while the New Forest, Peak District, South Downs and Dartmoor will each share a slice of £17m funding for national parks. With local contributions, the total new funding for cycling is worth £148m between now and 2015.

Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Norman Baker has made investment in cycling a priority for the Government, including setting up the £600m Local Sustainable Transport Fund to invest in local cycling and green transport schemes.

Commenting, Norman Baker said: