The reaction to National Service on here

[MaryMaryVeryContrary]

Many European countries (including Scandinavian countries) have NS. Are they ‘ridiculous’? Or are their much-coveted-by-Mumsnet-users communities better because of their sense of individual responsibility and contribution?

If 24 days (that’s how long it would be in total) of delivering prescriptions or volunteering as a hospital guide has you talking about human rights violations and Nazi Germany, then it’s very clear that you’re so pampered a bit of NS would do you good.

Everyone on here expects the world in terms of a ’village’, generous benefits, a caring society, but wants to do fuck all to contribute to it and think the notion of them having to do ANYTHING for anyone else is insane.

It’s nuts!

@SmileyHappyPeopleInTheSun

Could you provide a link to a curriculum in a specific subject in Welsh bac that you have in mind, please? I am not aware that Welsh kids have subject that would cover response to emergencies in NHS, fire service, ambulance, search and rescue, and critical local infrastructure. But I am keen to learn about it.

I don't see any relevance to Brexit. Brexit wasn't needed at all. It was the completely useless idea that only made the country poorer. Whereas some sort of preparation of people for potential war is needed. If not in the proposed by Sunak form then at school or maybe other form.

but not a military service as you comparing with Scandinavia. Not at all

The proposed by Sunak solution may be not practical in this form but some sort of citizen program preparing for emergencies is VERY needed and not certainly not useless.

And I am amazed that people say it is useless. Forgive me, but saying this is completely detached from reality and based on the assumption that if we had peace for the last 70 years it means that it will continue. They are on the brink of the war with Russia, are you aware of it?

It covers natural and human disasters which encompasses a lot. Any more isn;t really needed.

They are on the brink of the war with Russia, are you aware of it?

Who's 'they'?

Yes, who are ‘they’? Odd way to phrase it if you are resident of the UK and you very much come across like you are as you have so many opinions about it.

Noting that all the people who think it’s an amazing idea won’t have to do it themselves.

It already exists. Local emergency planning teams have lists of volunteers who help in times of emergency. But most of these are people with specialist skills. I know two people on the local list. One who is an expert canoeist small boat person who rescues people from floods. The other is a specialist counsellor to help people in times of emergency. Both are volunteers. WRVS also help with refreshments when people are taken somewhere acting as a shelter.
They do not need 18 year olds helping out unless they have specialist skills.

Yep-all the people in my house eligible to vote won’t be expected to do it, yet the 15 year old who can’t vote, would.

That’s giving a household full of votes to Labour though!

Our DD had no idea what she wanted to do when she left school. She wasn't sure if she wanted to go to university and incur a shed load of debt, with no guarantee of a 'good' job at the end of it.
She wasn't sure what kind of career she might want to enter at that point. In the end she decided she would like to do a gap year, so looked at volunteering overseas, which is what she did.
It was not cheap, we were lucky, I had just inherited from my mother, so could pay.
I think for several young people, the idea of a year out to learn new stuff and experiences could be really good. For others, volunteering could be very enlightening. So I would not dismiss it out of hand.

@Hadalifeonce A year abroad volunteering is a very different experience to spending one weekend a month delivering prescriptions to old people.

Nobody is saying the Swedish and Finnish models aren't useful and appropriate. But you yourself have said they wouldn't be appropriate for the UK because it's an island and its needs are different. Fair enough.

However, we are discussing Sunak's current National Service proposal, which is by any rational measure known to man a complete chocolate teapot.

I wouldn't necessarily be against a citizen readiness programme of some kind - but it would have to be pragmatic and fit into people's lives, it would have to be properly funded and include compensation for people's time, and it would have to be for all adults, or at least those of working age, not just 18 year olds. That is not what is on offer here.

@Persimonne72 I said they do volunteering which I think was clear from my post - along topic lines poverty was this year here. It part of a qualification so has tangible benefit not vague oh it will help in some how this proposal is going with.

I think you are deliberately moving goal posts trying suggesting the proposal is something it's not trying to make it sound reasonable. It's very disingenuous

The entire thing is unclear - two of my kids turn 18 in A-level exam a period - do they have to start volunteering immediately - eldest got A-level exam results then turned 18 till results had no idea till that point where she'd be for next 9 months - how does that work plus 3 month she'll be elsewhere in summer- one of DH friends was diagnosed with cancer during his A-levels - 17 - spent two and half battling till he died - would rare kid in similar situation be except - I'd expect so but currently no details.

We've literally been here before with this party - sell a resentful section of population on vague idea and let them fill in the blanks.

My kids lost the right to move freely round Europe to work and study - now apparently it's fine they'll be expected to provide free labour despite whatever else is going on in their lives. It won't be funded properly as money is so tight - so it won't be like the European schemes that exist and keep being referenced.

Maybe I haven't read enough here but how are they they going to make sure these people are safe enough to deliver medication to vulnerable people ? Is this gonna cost a lot ?

I think for several young people, the idea of a year out to learn new stuff and experiences could be really good. For others, volunteering could be very enlightening. So I would not dismiss it out of hand.

Both mine knew what they wanted to do and have actually volunteered in their own time - by choice. Some of their peers have been less sure and have worked for money in interim or worked/traveled done study till it became clear.

There are already scheme out there that encourage volunteering in various ways they are optional.

This is a scheme with a compulsory element - every 18 year old has to do it regardless of their personal circumstance - they don't all have to do 12 month army stint but will have work for free in specific industries/workplaces even if its not convenient. Which is hugely different thing to choosing to volunteer.

Are these kids safety are alright I don't fancy being sent out on to the street with someone's medication .They'll be a muggers delight .

@HippyShopper does she goes to school? would be able to work? If not. I guess she would exempt from that.

‘This, followed by the triple pension lock announcement shortly afterwards smacks of desperation/bribery.’

Yes, and so what?

When I pointed out how doing deliveries like this in your car as a new driver would void your insurance . Someone suggested they could walk. So 18 year olds walking about the streets with morphine patches etc. What could go wrong .

what has that got to do with what I wrote? I am saying that it is not military service as Pink suggests.
The topic of feasibility and practicality of implementation of his plan in this format is another question

‘How offensive. Do you have any idea how that sounds’

AWFUL.

@SmileyHappyPeopleInTheSun

but this is not just "any volunteering". This is supposed to be a volunteering in preparation to emergencies related to the looming war with Russia. At NHS, critical infrastructure, fire services.
This is not a fancy idea but something that has to be done in preparation of citizens to the war. Maybe this format is not practical but if it is not then another format will have to take place. Yes, the situation is very serious. Expect more relevation in news before the end of the year. We all have to be prepared. They ( gov) already are advising us to stock up food and batteries.

I will not comment about the rest because it is irrelevant. I am not Tories Supporter and I voted Remain.

Indeed. But objections to this are pampered, we've been told.

I just read from the Tories interviewed about this that parents won’t be fined over this. Also, that teenagers will not go to prison if they do not participate in the NS. So it seems it is voluntary thing most likely to engage the younger people. A pilot starting September 2025 I think they said. So not as bad. Obviously, opposing teams are going to oppose but the diversity of things you would be able to do sounds great. For military is 30.000 people who can choose to go.

I'm pretty sure if they were preparing citizens for war they wouldn't just be talking about training 18 year olds. Even the tories aren't that stupid.

Sorry I meant "We". My kid was talking to me about something when I was finishing typing🙄😄

And this is not an opinion. I am stating facts available from the mainstream news.