RECRUITING an army of “reluctant teen volunteers” is not a valid solution for giving young people the support they need, Unison has warned, calling for greater investment in public services.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced last week that the Conservatives will reintroduce 12 months of mandatory national service if the party win the election.

Eighteen-year-olds will have the option to apply for a full-time military placement or volunteer one weekend a month to carry out community service.

But Unison general secretary Christina McAnea accused Mr Sunak of having “lost the plot” and called the plan a “hare-brained scheme.”

Money would be better spent investing in youth services and on decent apprenticeships and training, she said.

“Government cuts have closed hundreds of youth centres, leaving many vulnerable youngsters without support, direction or job opportunities,” Ms McAnea said.

“Essential services need proper resourcing and enough decently paid staff to deliver for the public. 

“Not thousands of reluctant teen ‘volunteers’ who’d rather be anywhere else and would require supervision by an already overstretched workforce.”