A new “Greater British National Service” should be created that automatically enrolls every 16-year-old in the UK, according to a report by a UK-backed think tank. penny mordaunt has proposed.
The plan would allow teens to spend a fortnight on a civic scouting trip and complete a certain number of volunteer hours in a year.
The program would not be mandatory, but teens would have to opt out if they did not want to join, unlike the existing civic service plan, which requires people to opt in.
According to estimates, up to 600,000 adolescents could participate, well above the maximum participation in existing programs. National Citizen Servicewhich was created by David Cameron.
The project aims to encourage Britons of different backgrounds to mingle, as well as repair some of the damage that the Covid-19 lockdowns inflicted on educating and preparing young people for the adult world.
The proposal, in a new report by the Onward think tank, won the support of Mrs Mordaunt, leader of the House of Commons.
‘Take advantage of energy and imagination’
in a article for The Telegraph, writes Ms. Mordaunt: “No one is more effective in helping others than a willing volunteer. Nothing is more rewarding than serving your community and nation.
“Many young people are struggling with their mental health, finding purpose and feeling a sense of belonging.
“Steping up to help others could be part of the answer. Service can help build the resilience, skills, and pride in your community and country that many need.
“The national service is an old idea, but today the center-right think tank Onward has put forward its proposal for a modern version. I can understand your motives for doing so.
“They hope to harness the goodwill and community spirit of young people, harness the energy and imagination of the next generation, and promote good mental health and resilience. I applaud these goals.”
The idea of having a plan that encourages young people to play an active role in British civic society has long been a point of debate in Westminster.
Cameron’s National Citizen Service, set up after the Tories stormed Downing Street in 2010, was a focal point of his vision of the “great society”.
The new proposal, dubbed the Great British National Service, would go a step further by automatically registering all 16-year-olds, thus overcoming the challenge of getting young people to register.
The plan is inspired by a similar idea already underway in France, called the Service National Universel, set up by Emmanuel Macron, the French president.
Youth “ill-prepared for work”
A survey conducted by JL Partners for the Onward report found that three times as many 16-21 year olds support national service as oppose it.
Francois Valentin, Principal Investigator at Onward, said: “With so many young people feeling lonely, ill-prepared for the workplace and disconnected from their community and nation, it’s time for a bold idea to prevent a generation from falling further in the crisis.
“National service can be a unifying experience, teaching people the skills they need to succeed. It is not an outdated idea from history, but a modern solution that more and more countries are using to help young people.
“The creation of a new Greater British National Service would be a popular response to the challenges of young people. It would help them develop the skills, mental resilience and national pride that many lack.”
Rory Stewart, host of The Rest is Politics podcast and former international development secretary, said: “A clear, bold and essential idea, provocative and important, and if done with conviction and energy, it is a wonderful gift for young people and for the country. “
Dan Jarvis, a Labor MP, also backed the proposal: “A national civic service would build skills, improve mental well-being and enhance a sense of belonging among young Britons.
“I would like all young people to be offered the opportunity to participate in a voluntary national scheme.”
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