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Ascendant15 · 31/08/2023 19:34

It's been talked about for years. It'll never happen.

RancidOldHag · 31/08/2023 19:36

NCS is a very good scheme.

We don't need to make it a) shorter let alone b) compulsory

DofEd awards, and things like the Scouting and Guiding awards are good too.

Anxioys · 31/08/2023 19:46

They can bugger off with their civic responsibilities. If you don't know how to civil and responsible by that age then give over imagining the state will manage it.

Pedallleur · 31/08/2023 20:11

Its just clickbait for Brexit gammons who like the sound of National Service. If such a scheme existed no politicians children would be doing it. Their gap years, year out etc would be ruined. One for the poor people but really it's just to get some voters excited

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 31/08/2023 20:12

🤮

Goldcircle · 31/08/2023 20:12

Will be leaving the uk swiftly

Nellieinthebarn · 31/08/2023 20:16

Won't happen. It would require investment and planning for one thing. It's just vote bait for the older people, like the plan to limit care costs to 100k which also never happened.

LlynTegid · 31/08/2023 20:19

It won't happen. It will join the list of things government ministers promise but never deliver.

See transgender guidance for schools, extra prison sentences for those who refuse to attend sentencing, less use of hotels for asylum seekers, and no doubt many other things.

reluctantbrit · 31/08/2023 20:20

Not sure how it will work, lots of 16 year olds are still in Y11 or otherwise will start 6th form or other compulsory education.

DD was given NCS details at the end of Y11 but she found it very uninspiring and hardly adventurous.

While it is applaudeble to promote volunteering, my DD's 6th form is asking for 30 hours per week school work commitment. That's basically a full work week if you add 2 hours per day commute for her. And I am sure there is more to come when they prepare for mocks/exams.

She is an Explorer Scout and also volunteers with the Beavers since 2 years now. She loves it and it is good for her but she did pause it during exam times.

LakeTiticaca · 31/08/2023 20:22

Hell no we wouldn't want the little darlings upset now would we 😉

Katmai · 31/08/2023 20:26

Penny Mordaunt thinks this is a good idea? PMSL.

Richmondgal · 31/08/2023 20:31

Great idea teach independence and resilience

Richmondgal · 31/08/2023 20:32

LakeTiticaca · 31/08/2023 20:22

Hell no we wouldn't want the little darlings upset now would we 😉

Whaaaaaaaa I’m anxious

StEImosFire · 31/08/2023 20:32

It looks really good. I think they should roll it out.

RedToothBrush · 31/08/2023 20:39

The problem is who is going to take all these 16 year olds?

There is a limit to how many kids the likes of Scouts can take on (remember they also need adult volunteers to over see them. They can't just 'look after themselves').

Its a nice idea, but I'm not sure there is enough infrustructure to give a place to every 16 year old, so the idea of it being compulsory is nonsense.

This also ignores the point that lots of organisations won't have appropriate safe guarding training and measures in place to take on 16 year olds. They aren't geared up to this age group which needs additional measures.

Its a soundbite for the press.

KnickerlessParsons · 31/08/2023 20:47

NCS is a fantastic scheme. It changed my 16 year old's life. I joke with her that she started it a child and finished a woman

Stratocumulus · 31/08/2023 20:50

This is a sop. An idiotic “opt in, opt out” crack pot idea. What the heck can be achieved in 2 weeks?

Id like to say more but the do gooders will flame me.

noblegiraffe · 31/08/2023 20:53

They can't even get kids to go to school.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 31/08/2023 20:56

File this under 'it won't happen'.

The Tories keep throwing packs of cards with ideas stapled to them into the air, in the hope that people will believe they have policies. This is a desperate government who have no hope of realising a single thought.

Needmorelego · 31/08/2023 20:56

Going by many threads I read on Mumsnet many people (adults and school leavers) have never heard of the NCS scheme.
It should never be compulsory - but perhaps it needs to be advertised and promoted a bit more.

Needmorelego · 31/08/2023 20:58

I actually think the NCS scheme should be made available at an earlier age. Post GCSE is too late. It could be available from age 12 upwards.
But again...not compulsory. Ever.

tt9 · 31/08/2023 20:59

to be honest, done well it's a great idea. Singapore have national service for 1 year and it works well for them.
if it gets young people off streets, maybe help them learn a trade, improve their health and fitness, build a sense of community- surely these are all good things

Needmorelego · 31/08/2023 21:00

@tt9 isn't that what school/college is for?

jlpth · 31/08/2023 21:02

They need to attend to more pressing problems.

Missingmyusername · 31/08/2023 21:03

“The proposals would see teenagers participate in a two-week 'civic exploration' trip and complete a number of volunteering hours each year. “ it’s also not compulsory.

What’s the problem? It’s not conscription!