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Labour's 'national service' plans Labour's 'national service' plans
(about 3 hours later)
First Minister Jack McConnell has unveiled plans to introduce a voluntary form of national service for teenagers.First Minister Jack McConnell has unveiled plans to introduce a voluntary form of national service for teenagers.
Youngsters aged 16 and 17 would be given the option of going on residential courses run by the Territorial Army. The residential courses for 16 and 17-year-olds would be run by the Territorial Army and would teach teamwork, leadership and fitness.
The aim would be to teach them basic skills including "teamwork, leadership and general fitness".
Teenagers would not be obliged to join the forces under the plans announced by Mr McConnell and Tony Blair.Teenagers would not be obliged to join the forces under the plans announced by Mr McConnell and Tony Blair.
The two leaders set out a range of actions on skills, work, science, energy, health and crime in the their pre-manifesto agreement, which the party will carry out if successful at the Holyrood elections. The SNP described the plans as an election gimmick that failed to take account of an "overstretched TA".
But critics said the image of party unity was undermined when Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt mispronounced Mr McConnell's name. SNP MP Angus Robertson added: "As the reaction of former TA officers show, this idea is badly thought out when the military is overstretched in Iraq and Afghanistan and there is already a shortage of instructors."
The fact that Labour ministers don't even know the First Minister's name makes a mockery of his partnership claims SNP campaign director Angus Robertson Solidarity MSP Tommy Sheridan also condemned the move.
She twice referred to him as Jack McDonnell when discussing Scotland's smoking ban. The fact that Labour ministers don't even know the first minister's name makes a mockery of his partnership claims Angus RobertsonSNP campaign director
SNP campaign director Angus Robertson said later: "The fact that Labour ministers don't even know the first minister's name makes a mockery of his partnership claims." He said: "Jack's plans will no doubt get young people off the dole queues but may end up with them in the grave."
Mr McConnell and Mr Blair set out a range of actions on skills, work, science, energy, health and crime in the their pre-manifesto agreement, which the party will carry out if successful at the Holyrood elections.
Launching the document, Mr Blair said: "Over the coming weeks, we will be fleshing these examples out and adding new ones, showing how a strong Scotland in a strong UK is the best future for us all."Launching the document, Mr Blair said: "Over the coming weeks, we will be fleshing these examples out and adding new ones, showing how a strong Scotland in a strong UK is the best future for us all."
Other elements of the "pre-manifesto agreement" include a pledge of 50,000 modern apprenticeships a year by 2011, introducing 100 skills academies for 14 to 18-year-olds, and a full employment agency tasked with getting a further 100,000 Scots off benefit and back to work by 2015. Other elements of the pre-manifesto agreement include a pledge of 50,000 modern apprenticeships a year by 2011, introducing 100 skills academies for 14 to 18-year-olds, and a full employment agency tasked with getting a further 100,000 Scots off benefit and back to work by 2015.
Party unity
The party also promised a cut of 25% in administrative burdens for business before 2012 and a smaller, more focused legislative programme.The party also promised a cut of 25% in administrative burdens for business before 2012 and a smaller, more focused legislative programme.
However, critics said the image of party unity was undermined when Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt mispronounced Mr McConnell's name.
She twice referred to him as Jack McDonnell when discussing Scotland's smoking ban.
Mr Robertson, the SNP's campaign manager, added: "The fact that Labour ministers don't even know the first minister's name makes a mockery of his partnership claims."