Those that are legit business / tourists are often the ones put through hoops and fleeced.
My friend, a British resident is seriously ill with cancer. His parents are Chinese. On compassionate grounds, the Chinese gave them almost immediate passports so they can visit him. The British embassy however, have fleeced them of £300 each for Visa applications and after 2 weeks, have yet to decide if they can visit their seriously sick son.
Another Asian friend, a French resident, can freely travel around Europe, but needs constant Visa renewals to visit the UK for VFR. The last renewal was a shambles-not to mention expense. He's given up & no longer wishes visit here.
The Govt "priority" is to cut costs = cut staff, so you have no chance of shorter queues. I assume they are now basing the UKBA American style where 4 hours at Miami immigration is not uncommon.
We have the most expensive aviation airport taxes in the world - but one of the poorest service delivery. Rather like the roads- the highes fuel duty & taxes in Europe-but some of the crappiest roads.
After they tax us to death, they then extract the p*ss out of you.
I just don't understand why we are are recession(again)
