England football players WOULD be exempt from the Tories' chaotic National Service plan after a dramatic U-turn from Downing Street.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a radical plan to reinstate National Service as part of his policy for July's General Election. All 18-year-olds would be expected to take part as per the plan, although there would be some exceptions.
One group that would be expected to serve are English footballers. It was confirmed earlier this week that 18-year-old starlets earning a high wage would still have to serve.
But the Conservatives have now suggested that will not be the case. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said to The Sun: “We would have to recognise there are some circumstances where there would need to be some form of exemptions.”
Asked if there would be an option for the country's "footie heroes" to pull out, he replied: “Yes absolutely.” He then added: “I think the general principle you have raised is absolutely right - that there will inevitably need to be some, probably quite narrow, exemptions.”
The Conservatives' U-turn comes amid major criticism from the Labour party in the face of Sunak's dramatic plan. A Labour attack dosier read: “Jude Bellingham, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw have all been part of a senior England squad at an international competition when aged 18.
“Would they have been required to complete their one weekend of National Service during those tournaments?” Labour MP John Ashworth then added: “Would they be taken out of playing during the inevitable shootout in the semi-finals?”
What is your take on the Tories' National Service plan? Share your thoughts in the comments below
A Tory source quoted by The Sun then replied: “Of course extremely highly paid 18 year olds will be required to do their national service. The 25 days can be completed at any point in the year and if Jon Ashworth could be bothered to engage in policy detail he would know that.”
Sir Keir Starmer has also been highly critical of the plan. He said: "All this spinning round and round, it's symbolic of the chaos and the instability.
"You've seen that again over the past few days, the desperation of this national service policy, a sort of teenage Dad's Army, paid for, I kid you not, by cancelling levelling up funding and money from tax avoidance that we would use to invest in our NHS. I think they are rummaging around in the toy box to try and find any plan that they can throw on the table. I don't think it'll work."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.