Quote Originally Posted by Beskar View Post
Most of the cutting dividend talk was simply that, to cut it. Which is obviously stupid and only hurts the taxpayers and investment into projects such as pensions.

Now, redistributing the dividend is another thing.
Actually it was pretty clear that the purpose of cutting the dividend would be to set aside cash to pay for the damage. This is mentioned in pretty much every news report on the topc.

Just one randon example
BP directors will meet on Monday to discuss whether to suspend dividends to shareholders, the BBC has learned.

Executives will then meet US President Barack Obama on Wednesday, but no announcement on the payments is expected in the near future.

BP has been under intense pressure from the US government, which wants BP to use the money to pay for the Gulf of Mexico clean-up.