THE DAILY BRIEFING

■ SHOP CLOSURES Struggling High Street chain Mothercare is mulling store closures as bosses try to turn around its fortunes.

The firm could close up to a third of its 143 UK stores or renegotiate rents, under a possible company voluntary agreement.

■ BANK BOSS The co- deputy chief executive of Deutsche Bank is in pole position to take over from embattled boss John Cryan.

Christian Sewing has been chosen by the lender’s chairman, Paul Achleitner, with the board due to discuss the matter last night. ■ SHARE SHOP The chairman of Next has bought almost £240,000 worth of shares in the company. Michael Roney bought 5,048 shares overall, according to regulatory filings, at prices per share between 4722p and 4733p.

■ LAX LEVY The Government’s apprenticeship levy is ‘not fit for purpose’ according to the CBI lobby group.

It said the levy risked being seen as another tax on business after the number of people going into apprenticeships fell.

■ SOCIAL SNUB Web giants Google and Facebook have been snubbed by the television industry’s audience measuring body. The Broadcasters Audience

Research Board said it was not able to guarantee reliable audience figures or that their adverts would always be in ‘brand- safe environments’.

■ LEAVING POST Sky News last night reported that Royal Mail is poised to announce the departure of chief executive Moya Greene.

She will step down after an eight-year tenure that included the company’s £3.3bn privatisation and listing. ■ BUMPER RESULTS Grocer Tesco is set to reveal bumper results on Wednesday that will buck the High Street gloom.