National Service Plan To Bring UK Together

But it would be far cry from war conscription

- Nigel Nelson

Downing Street is examining an idea to bring back a form of national service, to heal divisions in our society.

But it would be quite unlike conscription during the Second World War and in the 15 years after.

Instead, it would mean 14-year-olds spending a month in term time with pupils from other schools and backgrounds, both rich and poor.

They’d be put in teams of 12 to bond on camping and hiking expeditions and would learn new skills to benefit their local communities.

The plan is the brainchild of former government education adviser Jon Yates, who now runs the £200million Youth Endowment Fund.

The charity helps children caught in a spiral of knife crime.