Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gives update on national service plan amid backlash

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defended his “bold” plan to bring back a form of compulsory national service amid a ministerial backlash and confusion about the policy.

Sunak said the policy, which will see 18-year-olds forced to either sign up to the military or cyber defence force or undertake community volunteering work, would make society “more cohesive” and strengthen the UK’s defence, PA reports.

But a serving minister complained he was not consulted on the £2.5 billion policy and senior Tories faced questions over whether parents would be liable for fines if their adult children refused to take part. READ MORE: Worsley and Eccles South MP Barbara Keeley steps down ahead of general election Under the Tory plan, due to be fully in place by 2029-30 if Sunak wins the election, all 18-year-olds will be legally required to take up either a 12-month placement in the armed forces or cyber defence or give up the equivalent of one weekend a month to volunteer in their communities.

Around 30,000 full-time military placements will be on offer, with the vast majority of 18-year-olds expected to do the compulsory community roles instead, working with organisations such as charities, the NHS, police or fire services.