ALMOST every business story I’ve written in the past couple of weeks has required the caveat – unless Scotland votes Yes for independence.

Not since fears about the Millennium Bug has the media been so full of warnings of an impending meltdown that could bring the country to its knees.

The No campaign has a vested interest in putting out scare stories that everything from pasty prices in Scottish branches of Greggs to the value of the pound will take a battering if Alex Salmond wins the day.

Will it turn out to be another false alarm that leaves us wondering what all the fuss was about in the first place?

At this stage it’s all conjecture, and undeniably compelling stuff.

The last time Scotland held the attention of the English to this extent was when Ally MacLeod’s football team travelled to Argentina carrying expectations they would return with the World Cup. Archie Gemmill’s brilliant goal aside, that 1978 venture was a total disaster.

Incidentally, listen to David Coleman's BBC TV's commentary of that goal. As the ball crosses the line in the background you can hear a voice scream - It's There! The voice belongs to England and North-East hero Bobby Charlton - co-commentator and adoptive Scotland fan. Better together indeed.

Scots I’ve spoken to in our region are against independence. Like most ex-pats they combine a love for their homeland with a pragmatic respect for the place where they now live and earn a crust.

A Yes vote could bring opportunities to the North-East. We should offer, for example, to house any government bodies forced to shift over the border, or banks or offshore energy companies looking for a safe haven.

But I hope it doesn’t come to that.

While I can understand the emotional appeal of giving the Westminster elite a kick in the pants I want Scotland to stay with us.

The North-East's tradition of coal mining, shipbuilding and oil and gas industry mean we feel more of a natural affinity with people in Glasgow or Aberdeen than the likes of Nigel Farage or David Cameron whose recent campaigning for the No campaign offered Scots a reminder of the types of English toffs who’ve been calling the shots for too long.

Please Scotland don’t leave your closest neighbours to face them on our own.

Archie Gemmill's famous goal at Argentina '78 was celebrated by armchair fans in England - including Bobby Charlton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyJTBrbPIHQ

HAVE you ever phoned a work colleague and heard a tell tale echo down the line that suggests they are speaking to you from the smallest room the house?

The trend of doing business while doing one’s business is on the increase, according a new survey that shows people are taking their work with them wherever they go.

A report from call answering service allday PA, shows 62 per cent of northeasterners will take a business call in bed, 42 per cent while on holiday, and 27 per cent will even pick up a call from the toilet.

I was relieved to learn that only seven per cent of us have answered a business call at a football match or a wedding.

At least some places are still sacred.

Follow me on Twitter @bizecho