UK needs to sort this out or they are going to lose out big time

I have to confirm the other comments about TLS. Staff that are indifferent to the point of being hostile. Rude - eat their lunch in front of you. No way to contact anybody. No email or SMS notifications as promised. (Finally, after a full month, went to collect on the off chance and sure enough, the passports were there.) Inadequate seating (Durban). Stand in the corridor or sit on the floor. Appointment times a joke. Long, long waits.

Went straight from TLS to German consul to get that visa. What a difference. Friendly, smiling, helpful staff. Despite no reserved appointment only kept waiting half an hour with profuse apologies. Half the price. Half the approval time.

Britain hopes to compete with Europe after Brexit? What a joke. We deal with European or American firms in preference to British whenever we possibly can.