National service ‘will keep kids out of trouble’, Sunak claims
Rishi Sunak has argued national service will “keep kids out of trouble” – and lots of parents are “worried” about what their children get up to at the weekend.
The plan, which has faced criticism from some Tory ministers, would see 18-year-olds given the choice of a full-time military placement for 12 months, or a scheme to volunteer for one weekend a month for a year.
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National service policy ‘a sort of teenage dad’s army’
At a campaign event in Stoke-on-Trent, a mother of two in favour of the policy asked the prime minister if it should be broadened to include ex-convicts who could benefit from “the rules and structure national service provides”.
Mr Sunak did not answer the question directly but said it would be “transformational” for teenagers by providing them with “skills and opportunities… some structure, some rules”.
The Tory leader added: “I think it will be really brilliant for young people to have this rite of passage that they go through with everything that it teaches them and just keeps them out of trouble.
“I’ve talked to so many parents worried about what their kids are doing in the evenings, at the weekends.
“So I think this will be wonderful for young people, but I also think it’ll be great for our country.”
Under the plan, due to be fully in place by 2029-30 if Mr Sunak wins the election, all 18-year-olds will be legally required to take up either a 12-month placement in the Armed Forces or cyber defence – or give up the equivalent of one weekend a month to volunteer in their communities.
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Is national service a good idea?
The £2.5bn policy was the first major announcement of his campaign, but it has been met with a backlash and even ridicule by both his own MPs and political opponents.
Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker, who is currently on holiday in Greece, publicly criticised the way the policy had been “sprung” on Tory candidates and hinted at unease over the idea.
“History has proven time and time again that liberty under law – not compulsion and planning – is the surest road to peace and prosperity,” he said.
Questions have also been raised over how the plan would work in practice and whether parents or children would be punished if they refuse to take part.
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‘Refusing national service won’t lead to jail’
Home Secretary James Cleverly has told Sky News that “there’s going to be no criminal sanctions, nobody’s going to jail over this”.
Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan suggested parents could be fined, comparing the compulsory nature of national service to young people having to attend school until they are 18.
But on Tuesday morning, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride suggested that this will not be the case.
Asked by LBC what sanctions parents could face, he said: “Clearly none because this relates to an adult who is 18 years old and it is their responsibility to engage with the programme.”
The final details are expected to be fleshed out following a Royal Commission that will look into what incentives to offer for people who engage and what sanctions to put in place for those who don’t, ministers have said.
The plans have been attacked by Labour, with Sir Keir Starmer calling it a “teenage Dad’s Army”.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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