Rishi Sunak Promises Allowance for Military National Service
Rishi Sunak announced a national service scheme requiring 18-year-olds to engage in military or civilian service, promising a stipend to assist with living expenses. With a budget of £2.5 billion annually, the scheme will include sanctions for non-participants. Opposition parties criticized the move, calling it a gimmick.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a national service scheme requiring 18-year-olds to engage in military or civilian service, promising a stipend to assist with living expenses.
While details about the exact amounts were not provided, the annual budget for the scheme is set at £2.5 billion.
The initiative, if the Conservatives win the general election, will include some form of sanction for non-participants.
The policy aims to provide young people with valuable skills and foster a culture of service.
Opposition parties have criticized the move as a 'gimmick,' with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer referring to it as a 'teenage Dad's Army.' Similar schemes in other countries inspired the plan, which will also include incentives like enhanced UCAS applications and job preference for participants.
The Conservatives stated that a royal commission would review the scheme's details before implementation.