Pilot programmes for the National Citizen Service (NCS) ran across the country this summer, with the Cabinet Office reporting that around 8,500 of the 11,000 (77 per cent) places were filled.
However, a project run by Oxfordshire Association for Young People (OAYP) in the south of the county saw only 15 people take part in the scheme despite initially being over-subscribed, with 35 children signing up for 30 places.
It was one of two schemes staged in Oxfordshire, which contains Cameron’s constituency of Witney, the other being run by the county council.
Paul Lawrence, county director for the OAYP scheme, run on behalf of charity Catch22, said initial enthusiasm for the scheme was strong, but a handful of children dropped out prior to the start due to reasons including getting a job, joining the army and going on holiday. This, he said, had a domino effect on other children, leading to further drop-outs.
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