Labour issues briefing note highlight 22 ‘unanswered questions’ including where recruits would live as ex-military chief describes it as ‘bonkers’

The Conservatives have said they want to make participation in their proposed national service compuslory for 18-year-olds, but they have not said how they would do this. Yesterday James Cleverly, the home secretary, ruled out imposing criminal sanctions on people who did not join in.

This morning Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Foreign Office minister, told ITV that teenagers who did dodge national service might be harming their job prospects.

Importantly, of course, when you then as a young person apply for a job, there will be a question that employers will want to know how you got involved – either because were able to achieve one of the 30,000 places (in the armed forces) or because you were volunteering in one or other part of your community.

We want to make sure Britain’s future generations can get the most out of national service. That’s why we’re looking into ways it can open doors they wouldn’t otherwise get in work or education.