Six big oil companies reported lower earnings for the second quarter.

"They have to show up in higher prices or lower earnings."

The companies said the losses would result in much lower earnings.

But all these new workers remain on welfare because of low earnings.

But the stock market showed little reaction to the lower earnings.

The main reason for the change was to provide a larger pension to people of low earnings.

Lower earnings would mean less money to finance operations or research and development.

Those who are paid less than the national insurance lower earnings limit (£95.00 in 2009/10).

For one thing, its chemical business is expected to have slightly lower earnings this year because of higher natural gas prices.

The increases came despite lower earnings from exploration and production activities.