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.
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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.
