Leading article: Brown's mission

It is understandable that Gordon Brown is seeking to change the social make-up of student volunteers but we are not convinced that he needs to use financial incentives to encourage them to do so. Volunteering means to work for free, and paid work is just that. Instead the government should point out the benefits that volunteering brings. The advantages far outstrip a few CV points or course credits: students prepared to give up a few hours a week can learn a new skill, meet people off-campus, find out more about the city they study in and investigate career paths. In short, it broadens their horizons.