BBC UK GENERAL ELECTION 2015 DAILY BRIEFING 27/04/15

Extra! Extra! Read all about it

Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? Not according to two of the parties campaigning today. Labour - previously campaigning on five key pledges - has now launched a sixth, just to keep us on our toes: financial help with stamp duty for first-time buyers. The Conservatives have also been treated to something extra, in the form of another letter to the Telegraph from business luminaries backing the party (you may remember a similar letter was published at the start of the campaign). At the outset of the full final week of campaigning, the strategists have clearly decided "more is more".

Last-minute lines With ten days to go, Labour has come up with a last-minute election pledge, promising to exempt first time buyers from paying stamp duty on properties up to £300,000. Labour says this will particularly help those under the age of 35, but others have pointed out that demand isn't really the problem in the housing market. They say supply - building more homes - is what politicians need to be thinking about. As for Nick Clegg he's been thinking about after the election results are in, saying that he would feel under an obligation to speak to the party that's won the most amount of seats. He's also told the BBC that the Lib Dem promise to spend more on education will be a red line in any coalition talks. And David Cameron? He's been buoyed by a letter from 5,000 small businesses that says the Tories need to be given longer to sort out the economy. He's also made an effort to inject new passion in to his campaigning after many people said that the whole Conservative campaign was a bit lacklustre. Vicki Young Chief political correspondent

This just in: Lib Dems' red line

In an interview with the BBC, Nick Clegg has revealed its plans for education funding are a "red line" in any coalition deal. Read more >

Safe as houses? Ed Miliband was in Stockton-on-Tees to launch Labour's housing pledge Ed Miliband seems to think support for property owners is a firm foundation on which to win votes, announcing that Labour would exempt first-time buyers in England and Wales from paying stamp duty when buying homes below £300,000, for three years. But the Conservatives said Labour's plans were "panicky and unfunded", and they had cut stamp duty for most people since 2010. The Lib Dems and UKIP also attacked the proposals. Read more >

Down to business The letter signed by representatives of 5,000 small business and printed in the Telegraph today called for the Conservatives to be "given the chance to finish what they started". David Cameron was repeating that message on the campaign trail, declaring: "We've got a fight on our hands and we're going to win." Labour says the Tories "let down" small firms. Read more > House not for sale The Green Party has announced it would seek to prevent council house tenants from buying their own homes. The policy stands in stark contrast to the three largest parties, with Labour pledging help for first-time buyers and the Conservatives saying they would extend right-to-buy to housing association tenants. The Lib Dems have promised to assist young people with raising a deposit. Read more >

Reality Check: Stamp duty reform Business reporter Sebastian Chrispin looks at whether Labour's proposed changes to stamp duty could push up house prices. Read more >

Watch: Daily Politics home affairs debate Andrew Neil and BBC social affairs editor Mark Easton are joined by politicians to debate immigration, policing and counterterrorism.Watch > The day in pictures BBC News picture editor Phil Coomes leafs through the images of the day, including this of Nicola Sturgeon trying her hand at making scones. View more >

Politics around the UK

Scotland: Sturgeon says the SNP can be trusted Read more > Wales: Lib Dems warn against Tory-UKIP deal Read more > Northern Ireland: Minister resigns after gay 'abuse' comments Read more > England: Derby council candidate suspended Read more >

No pain, no gain We know that activists are pulling out all the stops to try to gain that extra handful of votes which could make all the difference - but are they in danger of overstepping the mark? Lib Dem Stephen Gilbert (graphic image follows) tweeted a picture of his bloodied hand after a close encounter with a dog while he was canvassing. Natalie Bennett had to pull out of an event in south London today after losing her voice due to "too many conversations with voters". At least the prime minister is on the mend - he confirmed he does support Aston Villa after suffering what he called a "brain fade" over the weekend and accidentally said he was a West Ham fan. You don't need to wait for injury time to catch up with the latest on the BBC live page >