National service: Young people respond to Conservative plan

Samir Qurashi, from Camden in London, said he was worried the scheme would “hit working class young people the most”.

“A lot of 18-year-olds are working in order to fund our lives – including myself,” he said, adding the requirement to work one day a month unpaid could limit weekend earnings. “I need the money,” he said.

“Young people have clearly not been consulted on this at all,” he added.

Mr Qurashi is a former youth MP – unlike adult members of Parliament they are not affiliated with a political party.

He said: “The needs of young people aren’t being prioritised here.

“Government cuts have seen the size of the Army fall. It does make me question why this is happening, and why young people are having to pay the price of this.”

“The government has stated it will cost around £2.5bn and it makes me question first where that money is coming from, and how much that money could do for young people living in poverty,” he said.

“All the skills they’ve mentioned can be easily gained in a school or college environment. They should invest that money in schools and colleges.”

Mr Qurashi, who wants to be a doctor, said: “They say young people are living in a bubble but there are so many young people who volunteer in so many different sectors – I volunteered at Moorfields Eye Hospital.”