Achi news desk-
The British Prime Minister said that Britain has “generations of young people who have not had the opportunities they deserve” as he claimed that the policy would help unite society in an “increasingly uncertain world”.
In future, 18-year-olds would be given a choice between full-time placement in the armed forces for 12 months or spending one weekend a month for a year volunteering in their community, the Tories said.
READ MORE: Mandatory national service for 18-year-olds if Tories win election, Sunak vows
Asked on Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips whether the consequences of resisting the mandatory scheme could mean a jail term, the Home Secretary said: “No, there will be no criminal sanction. Nobody goes to jail for this.”
He said in other countries that have similar schemes there is “a very, very broad scope, the number of people taking advantage of it, and the acceptance and enthusiasm for this”.
The Conservatives would want to make sure that the program “fits with people’s different attitudes and aspirations”, said Mr Cleverly.
Opposition work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall said the Conservative national service announcement was a “gimmick”.
He told Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “Elections should be about the future of the country, not fighting for a better past.”
He added: “This is an unfunded undertaking, a huge gimmick, it’s not the right plan to deliver, it doesn’t deal with the big challenges facing young people who are desperate for the skills and the qualifications they need. to get good jobs, to have a home they can call their own.”
