Shell criticised over bumper earnings haul amid soaring oil prices

• Shell reported better-than-expected underlying earnings of $10.81bn (£8.12bn) for the three months to 30 September, nearly double the $5.43bn a year earlier, as oil prices soar past $100 a barrel during the Iran war. • The FTSE 100 giant unveiled another $5bn (£3.75bn) of share buybacks before the year-end. • Campaigners criticised the haul as households and motorists face painful fuel cost rises and knock-on inflation from the conflict. • Chancellor John Healey chose not to increase windfall taxes on oil and gas firms in Wednesday's Budget despite calls to tap the sector's profits.