Every teenager will have to do 50 hours of community work, Brown says
Last updated at 12:08 AM on 13th April 2009
Gordon Brown has pledged to make all teenagers carry out 50 hours of voluntary work
Every teenager will have to do at least 50 hours of community work before the age of 19, Gordon Brown has announced.
The Prime Minister believes youngsters would be less likely to turn to crime if they had a sense of citizenship.
The scheme, a form of 'national service' for teenagers, will ensure they spend a minimum of 50 hours working with charities and vulnerable groups such as the elderly or disabled.
Forming part of Labour's next election manifesto, it will be woven into plans to make everyone stay in education or training until the age of 18 by 2011.
Mr Brown said: 'It is my ambition to create a Britain in which there is a clear expectation that all young people will undertake some service to their community, and where community service will become a normal part of growing up in Britain.
'And, by doing so, the contributions of each of us will build a better society for all of us.'
He added: 'That would mean young people being expected to contribute at least 50 hours of community service by the time they have reached the age of 19.
'This will build on the platform provided by citizenship classes as they develop in our schools.
'But because the greater part of what I envisage as community service takes place outside the school day, it will require the close involvement of local community organisations and charities.'
Litter pick-ups is one example of community-minded projects teenagers could carry out
Writing for a Sunday newspaper, Mr Brown said the work would also be linked to a 'clear system of accreditation' so that young people would be able mark their achievements gained through the scheme.
The Prime Minister first proposed the idea of a National Youth Service to channel teenagers into voluntary work last year.
It is due to be formally launched in September, and would become compulsory if Labour was re-elected.
The scheme - which could include teenagers helping out charities both in Britain and abroad - is likely to become part of the National Curriculum.
Tory leader David Cameron is also proposing a voluntary 'citizen service' programme for 16-year-olds, which he sees as a 21st century version of National Service.
Under Mr Cameron's plans, school leavers and those going to college would take part in a six-week programme, which would include charity work and physical training.
Unlike Mr Brown's scheme, there would be no element of compulsion.
Police chiefs have previously urged the Government to introduce compulsory community service amid increasing rates of knife crime among teenagers.
Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Alf Hitch**** last year suggested jobless teens should be sent on a non-military form of National Service to curb the rising tide of fatal stabbings.
He said that community service might stop youngsters being drawn into crime as a career and seeing gangs as a surrogate family.
Mr Hitch**** said: 'It should be something where they can learn skills and help people.
'It would give them a sense of responsibility and achievement - and some discipline.'
Mr Brown has previously floated the idea that migrants could also be obliged to carry out community work.
This could help introduce them to those they would be living alongside and show they could contribute to society.
He said there needed to be a debate about what it means to be British in light of increasing numbers of minorities in the UK.
Isn't that abit like The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme? 
and how is he going to police these 50 hours?
Every teenager will have to do 50 hours of community work, Brown says.
(D.S.G)
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