A FORMER Scotland Office minister is to lead a new business taskforce to help advise the UK Government on economic and industrial policy.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell announced he had commissioned Scot Lord Dunlop to chair a group of business and economic experts.

Andrew Dunlop was given a peerage by David Cameron in 2015, to let him to take on the job of Scotland Office minister, but bowed out of government after the General Election in June.

Mundell said: “The UK Government’s new Scottish business taskforce will provide expert advice and guidance on how best to strengthen Scotland’s economy.

“We know that Scotland’s economic performance lags behind the rest of UK, and we need to close that gap.

“As we develop our ambitious industrial strategy and negotiate new trade deals with Europe and around the world, this expert panel will provide insight from a range of Scottish business sectors.”

Mundell made the announcement before a visit to Paraguay and Argentina to promote Scottish business interests and build on cultural and educational links.