Here are the UK stories making the business headlines locally and across the country this morning.

Officials draw up biosecurity plan to stop alien invaders

Government officials are drawing up a biosecurity strategy to stop alien species using new offshore wind turbines as “stepping stones” to invade Scottish waters.

Scientists have already warned that marine renewables structures can create new habitats for plants and animals that would otherwise struggle to find a home.

Civil servants are so worried about the prospect that they have invited tenders for the private sector to look at how to stop invasive non-native species (Inns) piggy-backing off the wind farms.

The tender document states: “Inns are a major threat to biodiversity and have contributed solely or alongside other drivers to 60 per cent of recorded global extinctions.

Error and fraud in business tax schemes cost the UK £4.1bn

Billions of pounds of taxpayer money have been lost to error and fraud in tax schemes designed to encourage research and development in business.

Critics say some companies are claiming the tax breaks even if they are not doing any research or development.

HMRC's latest accounts reveal £4.1bn has been squandered since the schemes were introduced in 2020. It said the levels of error and fraud were "unacceptable".

The figures come as the new government rows with the old one about a "hole" in the public finances.

BP helps staff escape abusive relationships

BP is to help staff escape abusive relationships by offering free accommodation and legal advice.

The energy giant has introduced the new policies amid concerns that those who work from home may lack a safe space to get away from their partner.

UK-based staff have been told that BP will pay for emergency temporary accommodation up to the value of £1,500 for those who need to escape an abusive partner, as well as an hour with a lawyer.

BP is also offering 10 days extra paid leave for appointments related to court applications or meetings with lawyers.

Chicken chain Wingstop fires up sale of British operation

Wingstop, the quick-service chicken chain which is Britain's fastest-growing restaurant operator, is hoisting a "for sale" sign over its UK business.

Sky News has learnt that the company, which is majority-owned by the trio of entrepreneurs who brought it to Britain in 2018, has hired Goldman Sachs to find new owners.

City sources said the sale had been initiated in response to unsolicited expressions of interest from potential buyers.

Goldman is understood to have begun issuing information about Wingstop UK - whose parent company is called Lemon Pepper Holdings - to third parties in the last couple of weeks.

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