Business Minister Mark Prisk said:

"The manufacturing sector will be vital to stimulating the economy so I welcome the ONS statistics published today which shows a 0.3% rise in output.

"We need to be cautious as manufacturing activity may slow over the coming months but I am most encouraged that the sector continues to be more productive."

Check against delivery

Business Secretary Vince Cable today announced the 149 colleges across England that will benefit from funding of £50 million from the Government to invest in new buildings and renovate existing ones.

The commitment and ambition shown by councils and business to radically reshape the way business and government interact at the local level was praised by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Business Secretary Vince Cable today.

Business Secretary Vince Cable today welcomed the appointment of Stephen Green as Minister for Trade and Investment.

Embargoed until 10:00am Tuesday 7 September 2010.

Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said:

An exhibition of cutting edge products was today unveiled at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to encourage a new generation of innovators, Business Minster Mark Prisk announced today.

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, today announced the appointment of two new Trustees to the board of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).

British companies doing business in China will be helped by a new agreement between the two nations on copyright.