Sunak’s national service scheme facing intense opposition

16-18 year-olds could opt in to a new national scheme proposed by Rishi Sunak.

Transcript

00:00 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering reintroducing a form of voluntary national

00:06 service in the UK to install, he says, a sense of civic duty and skills amongst young people.

00:14 This proposed programme targeted at individuals aged 16 to 18 would focus on community service,

00:21 personnel development and teamwork rather than military training. Participants would

00:27 engage in activities such as volunteering, environmental projects and skills training

00:32 over a set period, possibly up to a year. Mr Sunak believes this initiative could bridge

00:38 social divides, foster community spirit and equip young people with practical skills and

00:44 experiences beneficial for their futures. Critics, however, raise concerns about the

00:50 programme's cost, implementation and effectiveness. The government plans to conduct consultations

00:57 to refine the proposal and address these concerns before moving forward.

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