Corbyn rules out any formal coalition with SNP

Jeremy Corbyn has ruled out a formal pact with the SNP – but says he would welcome Nationalist support for his policies.

The Labour leader had come under pressure from within his own party to make the statement after Dave Anderson, his shadow Scottish secretary, said he would be open to a coalition if it kept the Conservatives out of power.

Mr Corbyn slammed the SNP’s economic policy as he ruled out any deal.

He claimed the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) statistics, which revealed a Scottish deficit of £14.8 billion in 2015-16, showed independence would not be in the best interests of Scotland.

He said: “A Scottish deficit of £15bn raises a huge question mark over the central economic mission of the SNP.”

The current UK boss refused to say he supported Scottish leader Kezia Dugdale, who has given her backing to Mr Smith but added he hoped the pair could continue working together if he is re-elected.

Mr Corbyn also announced that a Labour government would create a Scottish investment bank to “unlock the potential” of small businesses.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.