In a significant policy announcement, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to reintroduce mandatory National Service for 18-year-olds, aiming to foster a renewed sense of pride in the United Kingdom. The Conservative Party’s plan offers two distinct options for young people:
- Full-Time Military Placement:
- Eligible 18-year-olds can choose a selective, full-time 12-month placement in either the armed forces or UK cyber defence.
- Participants will engage in logistics, cyber security, procurement, or civil response operations.
- Tests will determine eligibility for this option.
- Volunteering in the Community:
- Young people commit to the equivalent of one weekend per month (25 days per year) of volunteering.
- Opportunities include working with organisations such as fire services, police, the NHS, and charities focused on tackling loneliness and supporting older, isolated individuals.
The Conservative Party emphasises that both options provide valuable work experience and can ignite passion for future careers in healthcare, public service, charity, or the armed forces.
Additionally, the party plans to establish a Royal Commission to design the “National Service Programme,” drawing expertise from the armed forces and civil society. The first pilot is set to open for applications in September 2025, followed by the introduction of a new National Service Act mandating service for every 18-year-old by the end of the subsequent parliament.
Financially, the scheme is estimated to cost £2.5 billion annually by 2029/2030. Funding will come from a combination of measures, including cracking down on tax avoidance and using resources previously allocated to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF
