Interesting thread topic Lastlid.
Personally I would suggest that the 'statistics' are not accurate, but lets not turn this thread into a debate on the stats.
I wonder whether the following might help in understanding the basic process:-
Entry Clearance Basics (ECB) - Making a decision on an application
Some of the key wordings used include:-
"The burden of proof lies with the applicant.."
"The ECO / ECM has discretion to vary the documentation required to support an application."
"If the applicant does not meet the requirements of the Rules the applicant should be refused without interview"
"The ECO is encouraged to make quick, pragmatic decisions to resolve applications, on papers where appropriate, using Structured Decision Making, their expertise, local knowledge and focussed interviews. The ECO should not rely unnecessarily on documentary evidence."
Some of this stuff is quite worrying.
