SIR Tom Hunter believes keeping the "status quo" on currency would be the best option for businesses.

The entrepreneur said any change to the situation as a result of a vote for independence will lead to increased costs for companies: "On a pure currency question, there is no doubt that the status quo is the best answer.

"If the people of Scotland vote for independence then we have got to get on with it (but) that will mean it won't be as good as what we have got in currency terms just now. If you just look at currency on a pure single question there is no doubt that what we have today is the best single solution for business. Anything else is going to (lead to) more costs."

He has consulted with economics professor Leslie Young, of the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing, China, on the issue.