PETE Wishart has hit out at a senior government minister after he claimed the coronavirus pandemic proves the "undeniable" strength of the union.

Writing in the Scottish Mail on Sunday, Chief Treasury Secretary Steve Barclay said it "doesn't bear thinking about" how Scotland's economy would have coped without the "entire UK economy" behind it.

Barclay said the Scottish Government has been given billions in support from the UK Government during the crisis through Barnett consequentials, which are based on spending in other parts of Britain.

READ MORE: Coronavirus in Scotland: Steve Barclay claims crisis shows 'strength' of Union

As many as 930,000 Scots workers have been furloughed with the backing of a Treasury scheme which also applies to the rest of the UK.

According to Barclay, there's no way an independent Scotland could have managed anything like it.

He stated: “If we hadn’t been able to draw upon the financial backing of the entire UK economy, it doesn’t bear thinking about what would have happened to the people behind these businesses.

“The extra shops that would have been left empty, and the jobs that would have been lost.”

He added: “While, as with families, we might disagree at times, what we have achieved since March — protecting jobs and saving businesses — makes the strength of the union undeniable.”

The National:

Claiming that Holyrood is “one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world”, Barlcay added that “Scotland still benefits from being part of one of the most successful countries in the world, the UK”.

He continued: “Instead of making arguments about powers and process, my colleagues and I are focused on delivery.”

Responding, Perth and North Perthshire MP Wishart said: “The self-congratulatory tone of some Westminster politicians who have presided over a decade of austerity is staggering.

“The Tories can’t explain why Scotland is supposedly is too wee and too poor but other similarly-sized European nations have much greater financial support to the most vulnerable. The answer is because so many of Scotland’s financial levers are controlled by Westminster.

“The UK Government has time and again refused to protect Scottish jobs — 200,000 of which are under threat unless the furlough scheme is extended — and millions of forgotten freelancers have yet to receive a penny from the Tories at Westminster.

“If this woeful inaction shows the strength of the union, it’s no wonder a majority of Scots now back an independent Scotland so we can have the full powers to grow our economy, invest in our public services, and protect people’s jobs, incomes and living standards.”

Barclay has been among a raft of UK ministers to visit Scotland in recent months, including the Prime Minister and Chancellor, as Downing Street changes its strategy against independence.

Recent polls have shown rising support for independence, including one key poll which showed 55% back a Yes vote — a reversal of the 2014 referendum result.