Linda Costelloe Baker's report said that despite such flaws there had been "significant improvement in quality." But she said entry clearance officers could use "some ridiculous reasons when refusing visa for tourist visits". She said a common reason for refusal was "you wish to go to the UK for a holiday. You have never previously undertaken any foreign travel before and I can see little reason for this trip".
It makes me wonder what we'd see if someone studied the reasons why applications are rejected in other countries, too. I can't imagine this is just a U.K. issue.