What is National Service and how will it work? All your questions answered as Rishi Sunak pledges to bring scheme back

• e-mail

Eighteen-year-olds would be forced to carry out a form of national service if the Tories win the General Election, Rishi Sunak has announced.

The most recent form of compulsory national service in the UK was abolished in 1960, and required all physically fit male British citizens aged between 18 and 26 to serve in the armed forces.

Mr Sunak's new scheme could include other forms of service including charity and community work such as helping local fire, police and ambulance services. 

However, national service in various forms still exists in countries around the world including in some European countries and South Korea.

Rishi Sunak has announced an election pledge to reintroduce a requirement for all 18 year olds to do National Service

The UK's original National Service ran during both the world wars and was discontinued in 1960

What is National Service? 

Under the Conservatives' new proposal, young people would be given a choice between a full-time placement in the armed forces for 12 months or spending one weekend a month for a year 'volunteering' in their community, the Tories said.

The Prime Minister said the policy would help unite society in an 'increasingly uncertain world' and give young people a 'shared sense of purpose'.

Britain previously had a scheme of conscription during the First World War and from the outbreak of the Second World War until 1960, when the requirement was discontinued. 

How would it work? 

In his first TikTok video of the general election campaign, Rishi Sunak suggested that the proposed scheme would widen the original national service to include civilian service including helping charities and the elderly. 

He said: 'No I'm not sending everyone off to join the army. What I am doing is proposing a bold new model of national service for 18 year olds.

'They'll be able to choose to spend 12 months in a full time military commission, or one weekend per month volunteering in roles within your local community, like delivering prescriptions and food to elderly people.'

Mr Sunak said the move would help young people 'valuable life skills', improve the nation's security and build a 'stronger national culture'.  

Are their punishments for not doing it?

Non compliance with the National Service scheme introduced by the Attlee government was punished with a fine 'not exceeding five pounds'. 

But speaking on Sky News on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, confirmed that teenagers would not be jailed for refusing to take part in the Prime Minister's proposed scheme.

Mr Cleverly said the plans were aimed at getting young people 'out of their bubble' and would not involve the threat of criminal sanctions for those who refuse to comply.

Labour criticised the scheme with shadow work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall branding the announcement a 'headline-grabbing gimmick'.

Why did National Service end?

After the Second World War ended in 1945, the government felt it was necessary to maintain high levels of military presence across the world, including in parts of the British Empire and in Germany.

To address this, the National Service Act, requiring all physically fit male British citizens between 18 and 26 years old to serve in the armed forces for 18 months from January 1949, was passed by Clement Attlee's Labour administration in 1947.

This compulsory service included varied roles at home and abroad such as fighting on the frontline or clerical work and did not extend to women.

Certain groups including students and apprentices were allowed to defer their service until they had completed their education or training.

Pictured: A 1939 recruitment post for what was then termed 'war service'. The scheme was extended to help the military during the Korean War in the 1950s

A notice published in 1955 to men born in 1938 asking them to sign up for National Service. Punishment for non compliance is listed as a fine 'not exceeding five pounds'

Also exempt from the requirement were men if they worked for eight years in three 'essential' sectors, coal mining, farming and the merchant navy.

The scheme was extended to a mandatory two years in October 1950 to satisfy military demand during the UK's involvement in the Korean War.

National service was abolished by Harold Macmillan's government in 1960 with the class of 1939 supplying the last servicemen, discharged in 1963.

According to the Royal British Legion, between the end of the Second World War and May 1963, more than two million men took part in national service.

How does it work in other countries? 

Many countries across the world currently have some form of national service, including military and non-military models.

All able-bodied men in South Korea must serve in the armed forces for a period of 18 to 21 months under a conscription system set up in response to the threat from North Korea.

Members of K-pop band BTS made headlines around the world over the last year as they began to fulfil their mandatory duties.

In Israel, military service is compulsory for the majority of both men and women over the age of 18, with men expected to serve for a minimum of 32 months and women a minimum of 24 months.

In Switzerland, 18 weeks of military service training is mandatory for all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 30, along with yearly refresher courses.

Israel is one of a few countries that require citizens to do military service, which is compulsory for all men for a minimum of 32 months and women a minimum of 24 months

Longer, civilian service is also possible for those unwilling to serve in the military due to their conscience and mainly involves assignments focused on social welfare, healthcare and environmental protection.

Swedish citizens over 18 must complete a military enlistment form and, if selected, are obliged to enrol in basic military training.

Speaking on Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme, Home Secretary James Cleverly confirmed that teenagers would not be jailed for refusing to take part in the proposed scheme.

Mr Cleverly said the plans were aimed at getting young people 'out of their bubble' and would not involve the threat of criminal sanctions for those who refuse to comply.

Labour criticised the scheme with shadow work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall branding the announcement a 'headline-grabbing gimmick'.