United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made his first major pledge to voters, promising to create a 'renewed sense of pride in our country' by reinstating compulsory national service for 18-year-olds.
Rishi Sunak pledges to reinstate national service to create 'renewed sense of pride in our country' as campaign heats up
Under the mandatory National Service scheme, school leavers will be given a choice between enrolling in a 12-month military placement or spending one weekend each month volunteering in their community. "This is a great country but generations of young people have not had the opportunities or experience they deserve and there are forces trying to divide our society in this increasingly uncertain world," he said.
The Tory Party added the program would help support young people who are unemployed or not in education or training and prevent them from being dragged into"lives of unemployment and crime." "This is not a plan – it's a review which could cost billions and is only needed because the Tories hollowed out the armed forces to their smallest size since Napoleon," they added.
Cuts to the British Army have seen it contract from more than 100,000 personnel in 2010 to around 73,000 as of January this year.
Patrick Sanders UK UK Election Tories UK Army United Kingdom Rishi Sunak Labour Party Conservative Party
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
United Kingdom patients test personalised mRNA jab for melanoma7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Britain slammed in inquiry for infecting thousands with tainted blood and covering up the scandalAn estimated 3,000 people in the United Kingdom are believed to have died.
Read more »
Manchester United v Burnley, Newcastle v Sheffield United, and moreAll the action from the 3pm BST Premier League kick-offs, including two big games in the relegation battle
Read more »
Sunak surprises British voters with July electionThe United Kingdom's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has surprised voters, announcing a national election on 4 July.
Read more »
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes review – thrilling addition to the seriesWes Ball brings fresh blood, new ideas and superb motion capture to this top-quality summer blockbuster
Read more »
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes the series in a different directionShot in Sydney and the wilds of New South Wales, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes imagines a world overrun with simians, 300 years on from its last instalment.
Read more »