Exploring the Tory National Service Scheme

Exploring the Tory National Service Scheme: Understanding its Implementation and Mechanics

The Conservatives have set out a plan to require 18-year-olds to take part in a form of national service if the party wins the general election on July 4.Rishi Sunak said the scheme would promote a “shared sense of purpose among our young people and a renewed sense of pride in our country.SO LETS Exploring the Tory National Service Scheme: Understanding its Implementation and Mechanics

Labour has labelled the plan a “gimmick,” and other parties have criticised the government for its record of cutting troop numbers.

However, there is still much we do not know about how it would work.

Here is the detail we have so far.

The proposed new scheme would not be conscription, where people are legally required to join the armed forces for a period of time.

But it would compel people by law to complete a community program over a 12-month period or enroll in a year-long military training scheme when they turn 18.

The name is taken from the mandatory military training British men aged 17–21 had to undertake between 1949 and 1960.

But national service meant 18 months of military training and spending four years on a reserve list, meaning they could be called up to fight at short notice.

The scheme being proposed now would not force anyone to do military training, Home Secretary James Cleverly told the BBC.

It would be made up of two broad streams for 18-year-olds to choose from:

• Community volunteering: Spending one weekend every month, which equates to 25 days over a 12-month period, volunteering with organisations such as the NHS, fire service, ambulance, search and rescue, and critical local infrastructure
• Military training: Applying for one of up to 30,000 “selective” military placements reserved for teenagers deemed the “brightest and best” in areas like logistics, cyber security, procurement or civil response operations over a year-long period

The vast majority of 18-year-olds would not take part in any military training at all.

While 18-year-olds would have a choice in the type of national service they signed up to, participation would not be voluntary; it would be required by law.

No one would go to prison for not taking part, Mr Cleverly said, but there would be non-criminal sanctions for those who refused.

The Conservatives have not said what those punishments would be.

As of 2021, there were around 775,000 18-year-olds in the UK, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

If that number were the same today, it would mean only one in 26 18-year-olds would do a military placement. The vast majority would instead do community volunteering.

It is not clear whether those who complete the military training will become reservists or be given the option to take part in further training.

We do not know what exemptions would be in place for people with conditions that mean they could not participate.

It is also not known whether people in full-time education or employment would be compelled to take part or whether they would be able to defer completion.

The Tories have not specified if UK citizens living abroad need to return. National service completion may not require return for UK citizens overseas.

Anyone who is almost 18 years old now is unlikely to have to take part.

The Tories have not announced a fully-fledged plan. Instead, they have put forward a broad outline. If they win the election, they will set up a royal commission to come up with the details.

They aim to have a military training test programme running by NUMThis is expected to involve relatively small numbers.Exploring the Tory National Service Scheme: Understanding its Implementation and Mechanics

The Tories have committed to getting the whole scheme in force by the end of the next parliament. This could be as late as NUM

It is likely that there would be reimbursement for the military stream. Since it is a year-long program, this seems to be the case.

But the Conservatives have not confirmed this or said how much it would be.Exploring the Tory National Service Scheme: Understanding its Implementation and Mechanics

In 2019, a report by the Royal United Services Institute think tank pointed out how other European countries with similar schemes, such as Norway and Finland, pay participants expenses or a stipend, though at a rate well below a normal salary.

The report made two observations. First, minimum wage laws do not apply to the armed forces. Second, compensation for a UK scheme should be set at a level that is respected by the participants.

Two days after the initial policy announcement, the Tories discussed possible incentives for people who do armed forces placements. These incentives could include “fast-tracked interviews” for graduate schemes in the private and public sectors.

The party suggested that other incentives could be: Highlighting national service on UCAS applications. Encouraging employers to consider people who have completed the training for jobs.

For the majority of people taking part in community work, it seems unlikely there would be any sort of reimbursement.

All of this would be decided by the inquiry set up after the election.

The Tories estimate the scheme would cost £2.5bn. They plan to raise two fifths of this amount by “cracking down on tax evasion and avoidance.”

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will supply the remaining funds.This fund was established to compensate community organizations. They lost financial support when the UK left the European Union.Exploring the Tory National Service Scheme: Understanding its Implementation and Mechanics

Previously, this money was billed as supporting the government’s leveling-up agenda.

Mr. Cleverly told the BBC that funding was due to end. But, the funding has been extended by three years. At the end of this period, the money will be used to pay for national service.

He said the money would be spent around the country and that “levelling up the impact … will continue.”