UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned teenagers that they could lose their drivers’ licenses and bank accounts if they refuse mandatory national service.
The scheme for the national service comes as the world teeters on the brink of World War Three amid the ongoing conflict with NATO and Russia in Ukraine.
Sunak suggested the government will consider stopping young people from having bank accounts and revoking their driver’s license if they refuse to go to war.
The PM added that there are “all sorts of things” countries do across Europe to ensure young people take part in mandatory national service.
“Whether that is looking at driving licenses or their access to finance or all sorts of other things, that’s the right thing to do,” Sunak said.
The Independent reported:
National service is one of the key announcements made by the Tories during the general election campaign. The Tory manifesto sets out that every 18-year-old in the UK will be given the choice between a year of civic service or military service.
It promised a “year-long full-time placement in the armed forces or cyber defence” for 30,000 18-year-olds, while others will be forced to volunteer for one weekend each month with organisations such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
The military service option promises to be “competitive and paid, so our armed forces recruit and train the brightest and the best”, taking up much of the estimated £2.5bn cost of the policy.
The Daily Mail reported:
The plan to reintroduce National Service was drawn up in secret, with only Mr Sunak’s close advisers – understood to include former Tory leader William Hague – privy to the details.
In their confidential 40-page plan, the advisers argued that the growing international threats posed by countries such as Russia and China needed to be addressed by beefing up our Armed Forces – as did the listlessness of many young adults. Nearly 750,000 18 to 24-year-olds are currently out of work, and this age group is disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system.
The civic roles would include supporting flood defences and communities during natural disasters, NHS support roles, fire safety work, or signing up for the RNLI or mountain search and rescue.
Countries like Norway, France, and Denmark have recently introduced a modern version of national service.
In his article, Sunak writes:
“Our pride in our United Kingdom should not blind us to the challenges it faces. One of those is that generations of young people have not had the opportunities, or experiences, they deserve – and too much potential is wasted in purposeless lives of crime or unemployment.”
He adds:
“We must do more for our young people and our young people must do more for our country. After all, our country is only as strong as what we all contribute to it.”
“This new National Service will give the coming generation an opportunity to learn valuable life skills while contributing to our country.”
“For some, it will open their eyes to potential careers. For others, it will forge a culture of service that will make our society stronger and more cohesive.”
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