The Conservative party, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, proposes reintroducing a national service requirement for all 18-year-olds in Britain by the end of the next Parliamentary term. This announcement was a crucial part of Sunak’s campaign strategy in the lead-up to the July elections.
Prime Minister Sunak argues that national service is essential to providing the younger generation with more meaningful opportunities and experiences. He stated, “This country is remarkable, yet many young individuals have missed out on deserving opportunities, and we are facing challenges that threaten to fragment our society in today’s volatile world.”
What is the proposal?
The proposal requires 18-year-olds to either undertake a full-time position in the armed forces or cyber defence for a year or commit to community service equivalent to one weekend every month for a year.
To kickstart this initiative, the Conservative Party plans to set up a Royal Commission responsible for overseeing the application process for a pilot program starting in September 2025. They aim to make this a legal requirement by enacting a new National Service Act by the end of the next parliament.
Which countries have similar national service requirements?
This policy represents a significant change for the UK, aligning it with countries such as Israel, South Korea, and Singapore, which have compulsory national service programs. The UK previously had a similar requirement, which was phased out in the 1960s.
While Sunak is pushing this as a cornerstone of his new policy agenda, its success hinges on the Conservative Party’s victory in the upcoming general election on July 4 and subsequent parliamentary discussions.
The proposal is projected to cost £2.5 billion annually by 2030, with plans to fund £1 billion through a crackdown on tax evasion and the remaining £1.5 billion from existing budget allocations.