Inbrief

Compensation pay-outs from BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill have passed the $5bn mark. The figure, which accounts for around 360,000 claims, is less than expected, however, given that BP set aside $20bn for claims last year. The fund’s administration has been under attack by those affected by the disaster for not paying sums high enough or fast enough, but the company says it will now look to limit pay-outs, arguing that the Gulf is recovering faster than was predicted. More cases have been rejected by the fund than redressed financially, meanwhile, with nearly half a million claims being either denied or dismissed for lack of evidence.