Cameron offers gap year cash bonus to 16 -year-olds who complete 'national service'

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Do your duty: Cameron says national service should be brought back

The scheme, called National Citizen Service, would initially involve around 400,000 teenagers a year but could one day become compulsory, according to David Cameron.

It could even become a condition of receiving state benefits, including university funding and council tax discounts.

The six-week programme would involve an introductory course and a short stint at a military base or adventure centre.

This would be followed by a month's volunteer work, for example in a care home, or participation in a community project.

The Tory leader said National Citizen Service would help mend Britain's "broken society".

He added he wants the programme to bring together "north and south, black and white, rich and poor".

Mr Cameron said it would help young people "develop a sense of purpose, optimism and belonging which would reduce their desire to binge drink, carry weapons and take drugs".

Hundreds of thousands of 16-year-olds would be encouraged to spend the summer on a six-week course to encourage patriotism and civic responsibility.

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Volunteer: Harry working in Africa

But despite the scheme's title, it would be a far cry from the National Service of half a century ago.

Under Mr Cameron's programme, youngsters would receive a state grant - thought

be around £500 - after completing the course. They would also receive an award at a "celebration ceremony" where they would pledge allegiance to Britain.

Half the cash would go towards a student's training, employment or overseas travel, while the rest would be donated to a charity of their choice.

But they could spend the entire sum if they combined travel with a good cause - for example by helping out on projects in Africa.

It is this part of the scheme which risks fresh criticism that Mr Cameron's visit to Rwanda in July is an indication of his enthusiasm for "gap year politics".

The scheme would be voluntary at first, but if not enough teenagers signed up it would then become compulsory.

The proposals are a far cry from the traditional National Service which ran in post-war Britain until its abolition in the 1960s.

Conscription was introduced in 1949 to boost the number of young men volunteering for the Armed Forces.

It was a compulsory twoyear tour of duty.

All recruits were given regulation Army haircuts and uniforms.

They slept in barracks and were awoken at 5.30am for hours of marching and gruelling exercises.

The basic pay was 28 shillings a week, far lower than the average weekly wage of around £8.

Many young men were sent to war zones and tens of thousands of them were killed.

A Tory government would set an initial target to

at least 65 per cent of all 16-year-olds - some 422,000 teenagers - to sign up for the six-week course.

Sources said Mr Cameron has made it a personal mission to make the scheme a success.

In an interview with ITV News, he said: "If you have it as part of the school experience, you can make it universal.

"That is the closest you can get [to being compulsory] and in the future maybe we could look at compulsion."

Teenagers could pick one of a number of options, including militotary training, sport and fitness or outdoor pursuits.

After undergoing fitness checks, youngsters would be immersed in a week-long residential course at an activity centre or military base.

They would do team-building or military assault courses in the day, and in the evening they would take part in discussions on adulthood such as "Is marriage a must?" and "Is revenge always bad?".

Participants would then spend four weeks on placements with the police, fire service or at care homes, or doing team projects such as painting a mural on a hospital wall or training pensioners to use the internet.

It would cost a massive £ 325 million a year to give £500 to every 16-year-old in the country.

But Mr Cameron insisted the scheme would save the country money in the long term because it would reduce crime and dependence on state handouts.

He added: "It's about explaining to young people that we're all in it together.

"Life's not about me, me, me, it's about us, it's about bringing peogetple together.

"We're not just selfish, atomised individuals in society. We have responsibilities to each other, to our community, to our country.

"We can't bring up young people surrounded by cotton wool."

Mr Cameron launched the plans in Bolton alongside boxer Amir Khan.

The Tory leader said the champion sportsman had "torn down the barriers" by setting up a charity boxing project in a difficult area.

He told 20-year- old: "You're a shining example of what young people can achieve and how much talent there is among young people today."

Labour hit back by pointing out that Gordon Brown had already set up a volunteering charity, V, which has helped 200,000 young people so far.

Minister Ed Miliband added: "Residential opportunities are important for young people but the problem with David Cameron's proposals is that they are neither costed nor funded.

"All the evidence is that this would be hugely expensive and he hasn't a clue how he will pay for it."

How recruits' six weeks will be spent

• ONE WEEK PRIOR TO PROGRAMME

An introductory weekend where recruits would meet staff and fellow participants, check fitness, and participate in question and answer sessions.

• WEEK 1 - RESIDENTIAL

Team-building and outdoor survival exercises. Other activities include a two-hour silence, leadership election, having to feed everyone for £10, or creating a gift for one another. Evening discussions to tackle topics such as Britishness, sex, wealth, marriage, family and the environment.

• WEEKS 2-5

Community projects such as creating a mural for a local hospital, teaching pensioners to use the internet, or setting up a fashion show using recycledclothes. Work placements on farms, in prisons or care homes or with the police. Using individual talents by, for example, staging a free concert, or creating a website for a community group.

• WEEK 6 - RESIDENTIAL

Basic military training with the Marines, with assault courses, drill and night exercises. Other activities include first-aid training, rock-climbing, orienteering, a mini-triathlon and the Three Peaks challenge: climbing the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales.

• ONE WEEK AFTER THE PROGRAMME

Military-style passing-out parade, with speeches and high-ranking officers attending. Also a civic celebration with local mayor and celebrities.

j.merrick@dailymail.co.uk

 

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