Harpic-to-Calgon group Reckitt Benckiser raised expectations for the year after new products boosted growth in the first six months of the year. Updated versions of home freshener Airwick and surface care product Dettol helped boost progress during the first half, with the company's Western Europe division lifting sales by seven per cent to £861m.

Flat figures: Australian brewer Foster's said strong beer sales had not been enough to stop profits from going flat this year after one-off restructuring charges took their toll. Profits for the group fell to £190.7m, despite the international beer business, which includes the lager brewed in the UK by Scottish and Newcastle, reporting a 25.5 per cent growth in earnings.

Air support: Unions were urging ministers to guarantee hundreds of defence jobs amid a dispute about possible changes to aircraft maintenance. Workers' representatives said a review of the Ministry of Defence's aircraft maintenance provider could jeopardise a £70m contract agreed earlier in the year. About 4,000 people work for the Defence Aviation Repair Agency, which services Royal Air Force equipment and systems.

Capital woe: Hopes of an upturn in the London economy were dealt a blow as a key growth forecast was cut for the second time in three months. The London Chamber of Commerce said it expected the capital's economy to grow by only two per cent this year

Expert help: Business North East has organised a series of free seminars by industry experts on a variety of issues as part of a business event on October 1 and 2 at the Telewest Arena, Newcastle. For details, call Catharine Popham on 0500 026120 or go to www.businessnortheast.com