YOUNG politicians from across the North East will gather in the House of Commons today (Friday, November 14) to debate the big issues facing young people around the UK.

More than 300 Members of Youth Parliament, elected to represent their towns in a vote of 11 to 18-year-olds, will take part in the UK Youth Parliament debate alongside MPs.

MYPs from Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough will join their colleagues to discuss matters including The Living Wage, exam resits in maths and English, better work experience and the possibility of giving the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds.

A debate on improving mental health services for young people will be lead by Stockton MYP Jessica Belch.

A public vote was held to decide which subjects to debate with a record number of young people - 865,000 - going online to have their say.

The debates are being streamed live on the Parliamentary website and all schools across the UK have been encouraged to tune in to watch the debates, broadcast from 11.10am.

At the close of debates, MYPs will vote to decide which of the topics will become the focus of their national 2015 campaign.