Processing times for FLR/Family visas withiin the UK

Dear Sir or Madam,

On your website you have published Delivery Targets for visa
processing in your Customer Charter - in this document you state
that 65% of Family visas (for applications such as FLR m, unmarried
partners, spouses etc) will be processed within four weeks.

Could you please inform us whether this target is currently being
met? If not, could you please provide an updated statistic? I have
heard many cases of applicants for FLR (M) who have straightforward
applications taking upwards of 14 weeks, including my own. You can
view any common immigration forum to find cases such as this.

I am aware that some applications require further scrutiny or need
further documentation - however applicants should not have to wait
10 weeks or more over the processing times you have estimated for
the majority of your applications, with no word from your
department. Especially when their applications have been approved
by immigration agents and include all necessary documentation.

I feel it is misleading and unethical to publish such inaccurate
statistics and would like to know if the current statistics will be
updated on your site soon? Could you also please explain the
reasons why certain applications would take longer than the four
week time period estimated for the majority.

Could you also please advise whether a tracking system for
FLR/spouse visas will be introduced soon. Are there any plans to
implement a more efficient system, such as the Australian process
for unmarried visa applications, where an individual caseworker is
assigned to your application and contacts you personally to update
you of problems or developments?

The current system is obstructive, non-transparent, highly
distressing for applicants and unacceptable for paying customers -
I implore your agency to act.

Yours faithfully,

Sally Gillett