Well my license has now finally been processed as I checked online so hopefully have the actual card in my hands at some point this week, its only taken them 7 1/2 months
I was ringing them every Friday for updates though
Well here’s a post from a happy guy…phoned DVLA today to be told my licence was posted wednesday and all clear to go back to work, asked if ok to get back behind the wheel before it arrives and they said yes 
Straight on the phone to my boss who’s been holding my job for me and he’s going to sort me out for Monday so great news all round.
Basically the moral of the story is you need to keep badgering them to get things moving and writing to your MP does appear to speed things up 
There should be local DVLA offices like before. Swansea take the ■■■■■■■ they knew their jobs could be done elsewhere they may do some work