Scotland “holds the keys” to Labour returning to government in Westminster, Jeremy Corbyn has declared as he kicks off campaigning in Scotland.

Labour believes 18 of the 64 seats it would need to win in order to secure a majority are in Scotland.

In some of those seats – such as those in the party's former heartlands of Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Fife – a swing of just one per cent is needed.

A further 10 central belt constituencies would require swings of between 1.4% and 3.6%.

A bullish Corbyn said today: “Scotland holds the keys to a delivering a Labour government for the whole United Kingdom.”

“We have stayed on an election footing all summer, and nowhere is more important to delivering another Labour government than Scotland.

“Labour has the policies to build a fairer Scotland for the many not the few, with a £10-an-hour minimum wage, a ban on zero hour contracts, a jobs first Brexit deal, and taxing big corporations and highest paid five per cent a bit more to fund our schools, hospitals, emergency services and social care."

“The only way to deliver the truly radical change that Scotland needs is to back Labour in Scotland.”

Corbyn will spend five days in Scotland, and aims to speak to thousands of voters in marginal seats. But the SNP are insisting that they are not too worried just jet.

An SNP spokesman said: "On Mr Corbyn's trip north, perhaps he can discuss all the policy differences with the head of his Scottish branch office - such as Trident renewal. That is, if they are on speaking terms."

SNP MSP James Dornan added: "Labour have learned nothing because rather than holding the Tories to account, they are still campaigning in Scotland against the SNP, which is odd given the majority of Corbyn's policies are already being delivered by a progressive SNP Scottish government.

"And no one in Scotland should be in any doubt - whether under Kezia Duglade or Corbyn - Labour are a party that backs an extreme Tory Brexit and policies like Trident renewal, against Scotland's national interests."

Picture credit: Press Association.