Gloucester is a historic cathedral city in the South West of England, a riverport and county town with roots dating back to Roman times.
Royal Mail has reported improved delivery performance in the first quarter, with 85% of first-class mail delivered next day and 91.4% of second-class mail delivered within three days. Ofcom targets remain unmet, and the company has pledged to meet these benchmarks by May 2027 as part of a £500 million five-year turnaround plan. Regulators have fined the group before, and investigations continue into ongoing delays and backstop targets.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a Local Youth Opportunity Index showing a sixfold gap in suitable vacancies for 18-24-year-olds between the South and certain northern regions. Rotherham faces 46 vacancies per 1,000 youths, while the Cotswolds have 288. The report argues lack of opportunities, not unwillingness, drives Neet rates, and calls for targeted youth employment services and reforms to apprenticeships.