like for any country, numbers are not publicly published ,they exist but stay secret . otherwise it would be too easy to reach and match . so they just ask your numbers in subtile way , like checking your and her bank statements for the previous last 3 or 4 or 6 months , then compare compare with the official requirements . from what I know those numbers are quite high.
send a picture , or a vidéo of yourself with the newspaper of the day problem you are in 2022 . maybe they require you are alive in 2566 . can't help for that .
to show proof of life to get your pension is quite common in different countries . I myself have to sign a document and send it by post .
in this case I think if somebody wants to visit UK , the smartest way would be to buy a ticket thay makes you land in UK . instead of buying a,ticket to land in a third country,what ever this country is and wonder if you need a visa for this country . for some people it seems easier to make things hard , and cry after ... I know it's already hard enough to get the UK visa !!!😤😤