Today, writing in The Daily Mail, the Prime Minister announced our plan to introduce a new model of national service for 18 year olds.

A future Conservative government will introduce mandatory National Service for every 18-year-old, to be spent in a competitive, full-time military commission or spending one weekend a month volunteering in their community.

• We have so much to be proud of as a country, but we also need to be open and honest about the long-term challenges that our country and our society faces. One of the challenges we want to tackle is that we have generations of young people who don’t have the opportunities they deserve. 

• That is why we will introduce a bold new model of National Service for 18-year-olds to be spent either in a competitive, full-time military commission over 12 months or with one weekend per month volunteering roles in the community, like as a special constable, RNLI volunteer, or NHS responder. This will give young people real world skills, while contributing to their country and community.

• Uncertain times call for a clear plan and bold action to chart a course to a secure future. Our plan will ensure the youngest generations, and our country as a whole, meet the challenges of an uncertain world. Keir Starmer and Labour don’t have a clear plan and won't take the bold action needed to navigate to a more secure future.

This morning, Labour refused to back our plan to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, proving they don’t have the courage or conviction to take the bold action needed to secure our country’s future.

• In an increasingly uncertain world, Labour have a choice whether to back our clear plan to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent. Not only have Labour rowed back on this commitment, one of their flagship policies, they have dropped the 2030 timeline for this pledge. Labour continue to prove they have no plan to tackle the issues facing the country and will just resort to raising taxes for hard-working families by £2,094 to pay for their unfunded spending blackhole of £38.5 billion. 

• The choice at this election is clear: a clear and bold plan to cut taxes whilst also delivering a plan to make the UK the largest defence power in Europe to protect our national security under Rishi Sunak. Or going back to square one with the same old Labour Party, who will hit hardworking families with punitive tax rises and never put our national security first.

The Triple Lock we introduced has increased the State Pension by £900 this year, and we will always take the bold action needed to deliver dignity and security in retirement. Meanwhile Sir Keir Starmer cannot be trusted not to raid your pension just like they did last time when Labour betrayed pensioners with their £118 billion tax raid. 

• We will always look after people who worked hard all their lives, offering dignity and security to pensioners in retirement. The Triple Lock we introduced has seen the State Pension increase by over £3,700 since 2010, including a £900 increase in April. In contrast, Labour always betray pensioners. The last time they were in power, Labour increased the weekly State Pension by a measly 75p and their pension tax raid cost £118 billion, leaving pensioners high and dry. Now, their new tax adviser called pensioners ‘codgers’ and said it was a ‘complete disgrace’ they don’t pay more tax.

• The choice at this election is clear: the Conservatives who have taken the bold action to increase the State Pension by £3,700 since coming to power and will protect the Triple Lock to secure your future, or go back to square one with Labour who raided pensions when last in Government and want to increase taxes on pensioners.