Gap Year Articles

Government planned compulsory gap years

21 Jul 2010

Revelations from a new book by Gordon Brown's former chief pollster Deborah Mattinson revealed that the previous labour government came close to announcing a compulsory gap year for all students. There were plans to introduce a new community national service described as a "gap year where all young people, not just the well off, can become involved in community projects at home...learning new skills and a new sense of purpose".

Reaction amongst focus groups at the time was very favourable but Mattinson does not explain why Brown dropped these ideas when he became Prime Minister. "Talking to a Brick Wall" by Deborah Mattinson is sub-titled "How New Labour stopped listening to the voter and why we need a new politics." more...