Conservative Minister Kevin Hollinrake says there will be ‘no exemptions’ from mandatory national service in the UK
Conservative Minister Kevin Hollinrake says there will be ‘no exemptions’ from mandatory National Service in the UK.
Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans for 18-year-olds to take part in a National Service scheme should he remain in power.
Details remain relatively vague at this early stage but the Tories confirmed it would come in two avenues; Community volunteering and military training.
Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: "No one will be exempt from it when it's in place it will be introduced flexibly.
"It's subject to a royal commission who are going to put the details, are going to inform us about what the right way to do it is. But the intention is that every 18-year-old will do it.
"They will work flexibly so that people can do it around other commitments they have, such as some work commitments where it's required.
"I distinctly remember Elvis Presley doing his service as a GI. I don't know if you remember that, but it's fantastic that we all play our part and we contribute towards society and that thing that builds pride in the country. I think the people I speak to on the doorstep feel the same."
