Housing: Parties battle over help for first-time buyers and renters

40 minutes agoBy Kevin Peachey and Shanaz Musafer, BBC NewsGetty ImagesLabour and the Conservatives have accused each other of failing to match promises on housing, in what has become a key battleground in the election campaign.The Conservatives said they were offering a better deal on stamp duty, by permanently abolishing the levy for first-time buyers purchasing properties up to £425,000.Meanwhile, Labour said…