We asked the candidates standing for Hartlepool five questions to help you decide who to vote for and here's how they responded.

Stefan Houghton (Conservative)

The Northern Echo:

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

The first key local issue is to reduce the high unemployment rate, which is above the national average. Working to improve local health services is also vital as too many residents must travel out of the town to receive services. Travelling out of Hartlepool is difficult for many residents. Crime and anti-social behaviour is the third key local issue. If I am elected as the first Hartlepool Conservative MP, I will be in a position never seen before in Hartlepool where I can work with a Conservative government and a Conservative Mayor (Ben Houchen) to appeal for more local resource.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Leave is my stance. The result of the referendum was clear. Since the referendum, I haven’t come across many people who have changed their minds who voted for Brexit, if anything they are even more determined to leave. The overwhelming feeling now seems to be that people generally want Brexit delivered so the country can move on. Business needs Brexit delivered so they can plan and invest with more certainty. We must also leave for the sake of democracy. If the result is not honoured, it sends a dangerous signal that future votes could be discounted.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Raising taxes is easier said than done. If certain taxes were to rise, they would need to be done in such a way that is not damaging to the economy. This is the danger posed by Labours wild tax and spending plans. If the Conservatives win a majority, the government will cut taxes for millions of working people on low and middle incomes through raising the threshold at which National Insurance Contributions are paid. It is possible to cut taxes while sensibly funding public service improvements. For example, Conservatives are committed to a £33.9 billion funding boost for the NHS.

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

High streets are struggling as the nature of shopping and other trends change. Local high streets and town centres must change appropriately to remain relevant. This could include initiatives like improving the entertainment sector, which neighbouring Stockton Council is trying to do with the Globe Theatre or converting excess retail units into homes. High Street decline is a challenge across the country. No MP can singlehandedly rescue their high street. To make progress, I would work constructively with Hartlepool Council, local business forums, government etc to give Hartlepool the best chance to draw up plans and successfully bid for investment.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

The Northern Powerhouse needs political goodwill and multi-millions to work. We are seeing a fantastic demonstration of the Northern Powerhouse working in our area through the Tees Valley Combined Authority which is headed by Conservative Mayor Ben Houchen. We have a Mayor and the powers and investment which go with the position thanks to the Conservative government and the northern powerhouse agenda. Through Ben Houchen, Teesside Airport was saved from likely closure and significant investment is going towards transport improvements. Over £100m has gone towards the South Tees Development Corporation which holds massive economic potent for our area.

Andy Hagon (Liberal Democrat)

The Northern Echo:

1) What are three key local issues facing your constituency, and how would you address them?

The NHS, Education and Crime. Labour promised to protect our A and E, while our children aren't even being born in their home town now. I'll make protecting our health services my number one priority. As a teacher, I can see how Tory cuts have affected our secondary school pupils, many of whom aren't making the progress they should. We'll reverse these cuts immediately. We have also committed to funding 22 extra Police Officers in Hartlepool and investing £700,000 in Hartlepool Youth Services to cut youth crime. And cutting Hartlepool business taxes by 31% will get the local economy moving.

2) Leave, remain or second referendum – what is your stance on Brexit, and why?

Liberal Democrats want to stop Brexit and give the people the democratic final say. At this General Election we’re offering voters a real way to stop Brexit by electing a Liberal Democrat majority government, which will revoke Article 50. Labour and the Tories have forgotten about Hartlepool, not the EU - our politicians are to blame. Leaving the EU will make us poorer, giving us less money to spend on the NHS, education and policing. If you really do want to Remain in the EU there's only one Remain Party standing in Hartlepool and that's the Liberal Democrats.

3) Should people be prepared to pay additional tax to fund improvements in public services, like the NHS?

Yes, if we are to achieve the levels of investment that our NHS desperately needs. We would support increasing income tax by 1p to provide a 3.9% annual rise in NHS funding, ensuring an extra £26bn. Labour economic policy and Brexit uncertainty risks a drop in available tax which will make the NHS hard to fund, but will also lead to huge staff shortages on top of the hundreds of vacancies we already have in our area. Ask yourself - who'll look after your loved ones when the EU nurses and carers have decided to leave, feeling unwanted?

4) High streets are struggling – what would you do to rescue them?

As you walk around Hartlepool you'll notice how many shops have closed. We want a bustling town that's attracting new businesses. Lib Dems have announced proposals to abolish business rates and replace this with a land valuation tax which will mean a 31% reduction in taxes for Hartlepool businesses. This will massively help smaller shops and businesses and help our High Streets and neighbourhood centres to survive and thrive. We need to encourage more independent retailers to set up shop too, taking advantage of the proposed Lib Dem 'start up allowance', and keeping local money circulating in the Hartlepool economy.

5) What does the Northern Powerhouse need to make it work?

All parts of the North need to feel part of the strategy. Unfortunately, the North East is the poor partner as the bulk of investment in transport infrastructure would appear to be heading to the Leeds-Manchester corridor. And instead of challenging this, the North East is held back by the failure of Labour leaders to work together. The concept needs money, powers and accountability for it to work. People want to see their lives changed for the better rather than seeing high paid government officials using weasel words and making empty promises.

We are still yet to receive responses from Labour candidate Mike Hill as well as Brexit Party candidate Richard Tice. If we recieve any more responses we will be sure to add them as soon as we receive them.