SEPTEMBER 4

Leisure - The Government is to decide this month whether to sell the Tote, the state-controlled betting business, in an auction, more than a decade after privatisation was first mooted. It is thought that it will have to accept much less than the £400 million hoped for.

Media - This month could mark the sale of Informa, the events and conferences group, to a private equity buyer for more than £2 billion. However, a deal could still fall through because of the difficulty in getting finance after the credit crunch.

SEPTEMBER 8

Manufacturing - This week the Government is to unveil its manufacturing strategy as industry struggles despite the lower pound.

Industrial relations - The TUC, led by Brendan Barber, meets in Brighton for its annual congress. Business will be watching for signs of the unions putting pressure on the Government. Issues for debate include maternity pay, public sector pay and a fairer tax system.

SEPTEMBER 9

Energy - Leaders of the 13-nation Opec oil cartel meet in Vienna as the slide in the price of crude oil prompts calls from more hawkish countries for cuts in production. Iran and Venezuela have said they believe that action should be taken to defend a benchmark oil price of $100 a barrel.

SEPTEMBER 15

Banking - Bob Diamond, the head of Barclays Capital, sets out his vision for the investment bank and defends its record after heavy losses in US sub-prime and buyout loans.

Economy - The CBI publishes forecasts that are likely to show Britain falling into recession.

Banking - Dick Fuld, the chairman and chief executive of Lehman Brothers, is trying to shore up the Wall Street bank’s balance sheet before announcing third-quarter figures in mid-September. These are expected to include $3 billion of further writedowns. He has been exploring the partial sale of its Neuberger Berman asset management arm.