viglen210 wrote:This is a recent update from ukba about applications for SETO.
The total number of Set (O) applications received in August 2012 was 2,455 and in September 2012 was 2,595.
Of the 2,455 applications received in August, 1,248 have been decided and of the 2,595 cases received in September 957 have been decided.
Of the 2,521 applications received in October 2012, 795 have been decided and of the 2,249 received in November 2012 756 have been decided.
As far as possible applications are dealt with in date order of receipt, however the Home Office commissions various checks dependent on the nature of the application made and the individual circumstances in each case. The time involved in this varies because the enquiries that have to be made can be complex and extensive, involving other government departments and agencies both inland and overseas. Thus some cases can be decided quicker than others received at the same time.
Our target is to conclude these applications within 6 months, and in the majority of cases are doing so. We are, however, always looking to improve our performance in this area and are taking steps to provide a faster and more reliable service.
Where did you get these numbers? Is this an official statement from the home office?
So the number of overall applications seems to be decreasing from last year or a year before that.
The last sentence in bold is what I hope is a sign that the public services have started to pay attention to what their stakeholders are saying. One thing that I have always disliked about (using) the public services is that they don't listen to stakeholders and as a stakeholder, you are always dealing with the organisation, not with people who actually work there. It appears that no single person or a group wants to take the responsibility for the delay. In our case (or mine), I am not allowed to speak with my case worker or the team of case workers that is responsible for my case. It's not just the home office. I have always felt powerless when dealing with the public services at all levels, local or central government. I am always the worthless worm and they are the big guy.
In the private sector, even in a company that employes more than 100,000 people, as a customer, you can always deal with a representative(s) face to face and you know who you are dealing with. They never say "I don't know why there is a delay. You have to ask a person who is responsible." If you heard statements like this in the private sector, you would think "you all work for the same company. Have a little pride in what you do and services you provide. Don't blame your colleagues."
I guess changes only come slowly.
Storage?!! And you would think they want to keep doctors in the country - they seem to be always complaining about the shortage of specialists here. 
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