Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a programme which provides legal recognition for a year of full-time voluntary service by young people similar to such programmes operating in the US, Germany and France.

Opportunities for young people to participate in social action, such as those run by City Year UK, vInspired and Volunteering Matters, have contributed to making sure that young people have the opportunities to develop new skills and give back to their communities through volunteering. Some of these organisations are already offering a year of service to young people. The government is committed to increasing volunteering and social action, and to providing support for different opportunities and programmes that encourage volunteering.