to make their leader the pm. we're also going to take a close look at the top three things that you've told us are most important to young people when thinking about who you want to run the country. yes, we'll explain what happens when you vote, what exactly you can expect when you turn up at the polling station in your area that's listed on your polling card. and we really want to hear from you. it's your voice, your vote. jonelle from the bbc reliable source podcast is here with us and she's keeping across your questions. hi, yes, thanks, guys. we're live so get in touch with us with your questions. you can head to the bbc news account on tiktok. we'll try and answer as many as we can tonight. so, this live stream is all about reflecting the issues and questions of first—time voters as we head towards election day. how do we know what's on your mind? well, for almost three weeks, my colleague jordan from newsbeat has been speaking to a lot of you on a race across the uk. where are you now? hello from checkpoint 13. where are we? i will give you a clue, follow me. we are in newcastle. that is the tyne bridge you can see behind me. to explain a bit about what we are doing, we are racing across the uk, so we started almost three weeks ago now, in newquay, cornwall, and we are racing to the other end of the country before polling day, so we are trying to arrive in north—east scotland by wednesday, and along the way we are speaking to as many of you, so potential young voters, as possible about what is important to you. how do we decide where to go? that is yourjob. you have been setting the checkpoints along the way. 21—year—old billy asked us to come to newcastle to speak to people here about what is on their minds ahead of the election, so that is we are. ., . , ., ahead of the election, so that is we are. ., ., , ., , are. you have been on everything from boats _ are. you have been on everything from boats and _ are. you have been on everything from boats and trains _ are. you have been on everything from boats and trains to - are. you have been on everything from boats and trains to buses. i are. you have been on everything - from boats and trains to buses. what are the big issues you have been hearing about?— are the big issues you have been hearing about? we've been hearing about lots of _ hearing about? we've been hearing about lots of different _ hearing about? we've been hearing about lots of different issues, - hearing about? we've been hearing about lots of different issues, and i about lots of different issues, and some of them specific to the areas that we are in at that point in time. there are themes that have been running across every checkpoint that we have got to. one of the big ones, cost of living. people are telling us they are struggling to afford to live in the uk right now and want to know what the next government will do about that. others include the nhs. people are concerned about waiting lists for treatment. and funding, how much money is being spent on the nhs and whether or not it is enough. and the other is housing, people telling us they don't know if they will ever be able to afford to buy their own home, and some saying they are struggling to afford rent and to move out of their parents' homes in some cases. those are the big three issues we've been hearing a lot on this right across the uk.— this right across the uk. and what we are doing _ this right across the uk. and what we are doing tonight _ this right across the uk. and what we are doing tonight is _ this right across the uk. and what we are doing tonight is all- this right across the uk. and what we are doing tonight is all about l we are doing tonight is all about answering questions. what is it people have been telling you they want to know? well, people have been telling us they want to know what the next government will do for them specifically. we are in newcastle right now. lots of people here have been telling us throughout the day they want to know what policies will affect them and change their day—to—day lives. that could be the cost of public transport, how much their car insurances. these are topics people are bustards about on the streets. if you are watching now and there is something you want to talk about, tonight is your chance to try and get an answer. drop us a message, jonelle will be across it on the tiktoks, and we will try and give you an answer on the programme. nice one, jordan. we will be back with you ina you in a bit. now we said we'll be focusing on three big topics. yes, the first of them is money. parties publish manifestos — which is a list of pledges about what they'd do if they end up forming the next government. in a moment we'll ask harry what the parties are promising to do. but before we get into all that, here's what you've been telling us. i'd like the prime minister to tackle the poverty crisis, and the crisis that renters face with private landlords. it was originally £8 to get the train in the morning there and back, and now it's £10. i have to work - full—time alongside my i degree to be able to afford it, i because sfe just doesn't cut it. the student finance isjust not enough. i and parents can't i always bankroll you. we know that roundabout 40% of students have considered dropping out due to the cost of living and also due to rent control. all right, harry's here, one of the bbc�*s top political reporters. harry, start by giving us a quick idea of the state of the economy and cost of living pressures at the moment. over the last few years, we have seen _ over the last few years, we have seen prices — over the last few years, we have seen prices go up for so many things. — seen prices go up for so many things, whether it is food, energy bills or— things, whether it is food, energy bills or transport, as we just heard — bills or transport, as we just heard. there are all sorts of reasons _ heard. there are all sorts of reasons for why that is. one: the end of the covid pandemic and everything getting back up and running. and the other is the war in ukraine, which caused a massive rise in energy prices. those are two reasons why prices have _ those are two reasons why prices have been— those are two reasons why prices have been going up so quickly. that rate at which prices are going up is now back down to normal levels. but that's why prices have been going up so quickly and things have felt expensive over the last few years. so what are the political parties saying? we will talk about seven of the biggest — we will talk about seven of the biggest parties. just for transparency, the reason we have chosen— transparency, the reason we have chosen these seven is because they have done _ chosen these seven is because they have done the best in recent results. _ have done the best in recent results, they stand in the most seats— results, they stand in the most seats across great britain, and they have also _ seats across great britain, and they have also done best according to recent_ have also done best according to recent surveys of how people tell us they will_ recent surveys of how people tell us they will vote. that is why we have chosen _ they will vote. that is why we have chosen these seven parties. i will skim _ chosen these seven parties. i will skim through a few details, but if you want— skim through a few details, but if you want more, you can find more upon _ you want more, you can find more upon the — you want more, you can find more upon the parties are saying on the bbc news — upon the parties are saying on the bbc news website. on money, to try and help— bbc news website. on money, to try and help you with money, the conservative talk a about tax. they're promising to cut the amount you pay in tax so you will have more to spend yourself. labour say they will gradually nationalise railways which they say will make trains more affordable if you travel by train. the green party also talk about the minimum _ the green party also talk about the minimum wage. they want to increase the minimum — minimum wage. they want to increase the minimum wage to £15 an hour. it is now— the minimum wage to £15 an hour. it is now £11... — the minimum wage to £15 an hour. it is now £11... we had a bit about transport — is now £11... we had a bit about transport. on that, labour say they will gradually nationalise railways to make — will gradually nationalise railways to make trains more affordable. the conservatives have introduced a £2 cap on— conservatives have introduced a £2 cap on bus — conservatives have introduced a £2 cap on bus fares in england and they say they— cap on bus fares in england and they say they will extend up. the lib dems— say they will extend up. the lib dems when they talk about money, they talk— dems when they talk about money, they talk a — dems when they talk about money, they talk a lot about energy bills and they— they talk a lot about energy bills and they say they will reduce your ehergy_ and they say they will reduce your energy bills by investing in renewable energy. the snp, which you can vote _ renewable energy. the snp, which you can vote for _ renewable energy. the snp, which you can vote for if you live in scotland, they say they will introduce what they call on essentials guarantee, meaning they want to— essentials guarantee, meaning they want to make sure everyone can afford — want to make sure everyone can afford basic necessities like food and energy. reform uk, like the conservatives, talk a lot about tax. they _ conservatives, talk a lot about tax. they say _ conservatives, talk a lot about tax. they say they want to increase the amount _ they say they want to increase the amount you can earn before you start paying _ amount you can earn before you start paying tax _ amount you can earn before you start paying tax to — amount you can earn before you start paying tax to £20,000. and in wales, third might _ paying tax to £20,000. and in wales, third might want the power to controi— third might want the power to control tax and make it a legal requirement for benefits to cover basic— requirement for benefits to cover basic living requirements. jonelle, tell us what people have been saying on our socials and remind us how people can get involved. cozzy livs is a huge topic on social media — users have spoken to us about the ways their changing their lifestyle because they aren't be able to afford things that they used to — thats from going out on dates to their weekly shop. emily told us she had to move jobs to be able afford her keeping car and others have told us they've decided not to go to uni because it simply costs too much. you can be part of the discussion, drop a question as a comment on bbc news on tiktok. thanks, jonelle. what will happen on thursday. so, if you've not already voted by post, how do you vote in person at a polling station? lola from bbc three's the catch up can explain. the place to head to is your local polling station. the address will be on your polling card. it will open at 7am, and close at 10pm, and when you get there, give your name and address to the staff inside. after you show them your id, they will show you to a booth with your ballot paper. the ballot paper has a list of everyone standing for election, and if they are standing for a political party. in order to vote, you put a x in the box, next to your chosen candidate. don't panic if you make a mistake. you can always ask for a new ballot. and if you feel the need to take a selfie, well, don't. there are laws to prevent intimidation or votes being revealed, so photos are deemed a risk. you may also see people hanging around outside. they are volunteers for candidates, called tellers, who are trying to get an idea of how many people have voted. they might ask you how you voted, but you don't have to answer, and they have to be polite. and that's how you cast your vote onjuly the 4th. if you'rejustjoining us, it's azadeh and callum here, and we're hearing from first time voters about the things that matter to them ahead of thursday's general election. and we've got more tips from lola coming up about how things will work if you're voting on thursday. plus, we're going to talk about the nhs. so, we've talked cash and the cost of living. now the second of those topics you've told us are most important, and it's housing and rent. let's hearfrom beth, who's in salford. one of the biggest issues i've faced is renting, so throughout uni, finding, well, cheap enough accommodation to stay in. and we ended up staying in the same house for two years, the price went up by £30 each month, and the quality of the housing just didn't get any better. we faced a lot of mould and itjust dampness in a lot of the rooms, it was very dated, and we were paying nearly £600 a month. to live in a house that wasn't really that great to live in, and wasn't even worth £600. and now that i have left uni, i am living somewhere else, but with another couple and my partner, and it's a two bed flat, and luckily we got it quite cheap, but for what we are actually paying, it doesn't really seem worth it. so one thing that i really want to look into while i'm voting is about the renting crisis, because it's obviously only going to get worse and worse as the years go on, i'm getting into the property ladder in the future as well, i don't really have much hope for it at the moment. and do you feel like any of the political parties are addressing any of this? do you even feel like they are trying to get your vote? i feel like a lot of the effort with trying to get young people voting has turned onto social media and kind of just mocking the other parties on their instagram pages and stuff like that. i feel like trying to get the younger voters in has come down to that, not really showing the that _ they're going to put place and stuff like that, so it is all off your own back on looking into it, and i feel like some of them are trying a little bit more, and there are some things from other parties that do— lee camp to me, so, violence against women and stuff like that, and _ children's breakfast clubs. i feel like stuff like that is so important, but for me the most important thing is the housing, housing and ring crisis, and ijust feel like it's not really being focused on that much. —— the housing and rent crisis. thanks very much, beth. beth isn't the only one to share those things. harry's still with us. what's the picture across the uk? housing isn't totally controlled by westminster so some of it might depend _ westminster so some of it might depend on where you live in the uk. across _ depend on where you live in the uk. across the _ depend on where you live in the uk. across the uk, it is a massive issue and the _ across the uk, it is a massive issue and the overall problem is, there isn't _ and the overall problem is, there isn't enough of it. that can mean it isn't enough of it. that can mean it is very— isn't enough of it. that can mean it is very expensive because there isn't _ is very expensive because there isn't another option to choose from. the other— isn't another option to choose from. the other problem we have with housing, — the other problem we have with housing, we were talking a few minutes— housing, we were talking a few minutes ago about the cost of living, — minutes ago about the cost of living, so— minutes ago about the cost of living, so landlords might have their— living, so landlords might have their mortgage go up and they might have passed on that cost to you, and your rent _ have passed on that cost to you, and your rent has— have passed on that cost to you, and your rent has gone up. that's the other problem. finally, a lot of housing — other problem. finally, a lot of housing in— other problem. finally, a lot of housing in the uk is either old or bad quality, so unless money are spent _ bad quality, so unless money are spent on — bad quality, so unless money are spent on improving it, it can be moutdy, — spent on improving it, it can be mouldy, damp, it can have bad insulation. _ mouldy, damp, it can have bad insulation, so the question is, who pays— insulation, so the question is, who pays for— insulation, so the question is, who pays for those improvements? this is a very— pays for those improvements? this is a very complicated problem, a very expensive — a very complicated problem, a very expensive problem, and one that all the political parties are very aware of. the political parties are very aware of he_ the political parties are very aware of. . , , ., the political parties are very aware of. r , ., the political parties are very aware of. . , , ., ., , the political parties are very aware of. . , ., , ., the political parties are very aware of. as you mention, it is a bit different _ of. as you mention, it is a bit different depending - of. as you mention, it is a bit different depending on - of. as you mention, it is a bit different depending on where of. as you mention, it is a bit - different depending on where you are in the uk, which makes it tricky, but what are the parties promising at this election?— but what are the parties promising at this election? labour in england sa the at this election? labour in england say they want _ at this election? labour in england say they want to — at this election? labour in england say they want to make _ at this election? labour in england say they want to make it _ at this election? labour in england say they want to make it easier - at this election? labour in england say they want to make it easier for renters _ say they want to make it easier for renters to— say they want to make it easier for renters to challenge landlords when they put _ renters to challenge landlords when they put up their rent. they say they— they put up their rent. they say they want— they put up their rent. they say they want to build 1.5 million new homes _ they want to build 1.5 million new homes over the course of the next five years — homes over the course of the next five years and they say they will do that by _ five years and they say they will do that by changing the rules around how and — that by changing the rules around how and how many houses and how easy it is to _ how and how many houses and how easy it is to build _ how and how many houses and how easy it is to build houses across england _ it is to build houses across england. one of the things that nearly— england. one of the things that nearly all— england. one of the things that nearly all the parties say is that they— nearly all the parties say is that they want— nearly all the parties say is that they want to ban what they call no-fault— they want to ban what they call no—fault evictions, when landlords can kick— no—fault evictions, when landlords can kick tenants out without having to give _ can kick tenants out without having to give a _ can kick tenants out without having to give a reason. remember, the conservatives promised to do that last time — conservatives promised to do that last time. the law to do that got delayed — last time. the law to do that got delayed and it didn't come in before the election, but now nearly all the parties _ the election, but now nearly all the parties say— the election, but now nearly all the parties say that is something they want to— parties say that is something they want to do. as well as that, the conservatives talk a lot about buying — conservatives talk a lot about buying your first home, which we heard _ buying your first home, which we heard just — buying your first home, which we heard just there, and they say they want to— heard just there, and they say they want to bring in a new scheme called the right— want to brin