SINGAPORE - A high-level committee's recommendations to improve National Service have been formally accepted by the Government.

Some key recommendations by the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) include establishing a volunteer corps in the Singapore Armed Forces, increasing benefits and incentives for servicemen and cutting down on waiting time for pre-enlistees.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the Government would accept the recommendations.

"These proposals will strengthen NS for future generations and ensure the defence, safety and security of Singapore," he wrote, in a letter to the committee.

The 30 changes proposed by the Committee are expected to cost the Defence Ministry some $4.5 billion over the next decade.

About half of the amount will fund benefits and schemes aimed to support servicemen, while the rest will be used to improve the SAF's training system, the committee said.

Set up more than a year ago, the committee has consulted over 40,000 people from all walks of life through focus group discussions, town hall meetings and web chats.