Jeremy Corbyn warns the SNP is "too timid" to take on interests of the rich and powerful

Jeremy Corbyn has warned that the SNP is "too timid" to take on the interests of the rich and powerful ahead of a campaign trip to Scotland.

With Corbyn due to arrive in Scotland later today as part of a series of campaign appearances alongside Richard Leonard, the UK leader blasted the Tories for cutting taxes for the richest, while suggesting the SNP is unable to confront societal elites.

Corbyn is expected to use appearances in Selkirk, Midlothian and North Ayrshire to highlight prevailing levels of child poverty, but he came under criticism from SNP politicians over his party’s stance on leaving the EU, with MSP Joan McAlpine arguing the party is refusing to stop a hard Brexit.

Corbyn said: “Our economy is broken. It is failing people right across Scotland, forcing 260,000 children into poverty, while more and more people in work are unable to make ends meet," he said.

"These problems blight every community in Scotland: from Saltcoats to Selkirk and Stornoway we urgently need to transform a rigged system.

“The Tories serve the few, with tax cuts for the richest - and falling pay and cuts in public services for the rest of us. The SNP are too timid to take on the elite who are holding our people back. Scotland needs Labour governments in both Westminster and Holyrood with the strength and the will to work for the many, not the few.”

Joan McAlpine MSP said: "The leak of Whitehall Brexit analysis means the cat is out of the bag on the crippling cost of leaving the single market and customs union.

"Everybody now agrees it will inflict catastrophic damage on Scotland's economy, with fewer jobs and lower living standards.

"There is no majority in the House of Commons for a hard Tory Brexit - Jeremy Corbyn has it in his power to stop this disaster, but refuses to do so.

"It is little wonder that Labour cannot pull ahead of the chaotic Tory party in the opinion polls."