A TEENAGE politician got her voice heard when she represented the North-East in the annual National Youth Parliament debate.
Jess Hugill, who represents Stockton, spoke in Westminster to highlight the major issues facing young people in the region.
A record number of young people - more than 950,000 - voted to choose the five topics that were debated, including issues of religious discrimination, mental health services and the living wage.
Speaking on the living wage, the 16-year-old, a student at Conyers Sixth Form, Yarm, said: “This isn’t the living wage that we want, it is an increased minimum wage, but it is a step in the right direction.“Are we content on knowing that the government is already changing their ways? Or could this be the perfect platform from which to launch our campaign?”
The event marked the beginning of Parliament Week, which aims to increase awareness of the UK's Parliamentary democracy.
Commons speaker John Bercow praised the efforts of the young politicians.
He said: "Each and every year you perform magnificently."
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