National Service has two-fold benefits

LAST month’s Budget highlighted the great number of people on benefits and particularly those in the 18-34 age bracket who were not working or looking for work.

Quite a number of national and local newspapers picked up on this with articles highlighting the number of vacancies for trainees and apprenticeships.

Also an ever-increasing number of younger males and females clutter our city streets living rough and not contributing anything to the UK economy.

Armed conflicts abound around the world in Ukraine, Palestine, and some African states, with regular skirmishes in India and Afghanistan and some South American states.

In the UK our armed services chiefs and intelligence services regularly warn us of the dangers of any one of these escalating and that our own armed services are seriously undermanned and struggling to recruit service men and women to help defend our shores or internationally.

The answer is to bring back compulsory National Service again for men and women over the age of 18 for one year of basic armed and trade training – starting with the two groups above. Many Nato and nonNato countries have started or extended their periods of compulsory military training over the last six months. In the UK there will be a double benefit. Firstly to the economy by using UK firms to refurbish barracks, make extra uniforms, boots, arms, artillery, ammunition and drones.

Secondly by getting our youth fit, healthy, self confident, team members, free from social media and some opting to join a service for a full trade training.

We must start now for UK security!

MICHAEL PESCOD, Newcastle