Sunak Vows to Bring Back National Service for 18 Year Olds

Under the plan, 18 year olds will be required to join the military for a year or help out local emergency services or charities in weekends.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his visit to the maritime technology centre at Artemis Technology in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on May 24, 2024. Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Eighteen-year-olds will serve in the military for one year or take up other weekend volunteering roles under the Tories’ plan to bring back national service, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said.

The pledge marks the first major policy announcement from either side ahead of the July 4 General Election that he called earlier this week.