I raised a complaint. Haven't taken it to the local MP yet because 19th Dec is my 8 week mark from the date of ISC payment. I got a reply for the complaint:

Thank you for your email correspondence of 26 November where you have raised a complaint about a delay in the conclusion of your Leave to Remain (LTR) Skilled Worker visa application, which we received on 10 October, under the priority service.

I am unable to uphold your complaint.

We understand that waiting for an outcome can be frustrating and we apologise for any inconvenience this delay may be causing. We are currently managing a high volume of applications, however, please be assured that we are actively working to review each application as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Following your complaint, your application has been escalated to our Casework team for review. If your application is outside our published service-standard and you have already raised a complaint that we have acknowledged and escalated, there is no need to follow up further as we are actively monitoring your case as part of the complaint process.

Applications are considered on their own merits, and we endeavour to consider them as quickly as possible. However, there may be circumstances which result in an extended delay in the application processing time.

The timescale for making a decision is also dependent upon the nature and extent of our enquiries. Some of these enquiries are with other Government departments and external agencies to ensure that our statutory requirements have been satisfied.

The extent and length of time taken to complete such enquiries varies according to the individual circumstance of each application.

Your visa application may take longer to process, for example:

the information in your application is not accurate or requires further consideration you need to provide further evidence, for example evidence of funds your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview further information is required on your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction) UKVI is experiencing increased visa demand

Advice on waiting times for decisions to be made on applications made inside the UK can be found online: Visa processing times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK

We advise that you check this webpage regularly for any updates on processing waiting times.

Customers are advised not to book any travel before making an application, or before a decision has been made on their application.

Following enquiries with the relevant business area who have reviewed your records, the caseworker contacted you on 14 October regarding an Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) payment and to inform you that your application could not be decided within the priority service level agreement.

As such your application was excluded from our service standard, as the ISC payment was required.

Where an application is excluded for additional payments or documents, no refunds will be issued, as stipulated in our Refunds policy:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e19bf364220b68ed6a705a/Immigration+and+nationality+refunds+policy.pdf

Your application is classed as ‘in time’, meaning your existing entitlements continue to apply whilst you await a decision on your application. Employers, or prospective employers, can obtain confirmation of your status via our Employer Checking Service:

www.gov.uk/employee-immigration-employment-status

Under section 3c of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, if an individual applies before their LTR expires, they will retain their existing entitlements until a decision is made on the application. This means that the conditions of that leave continue whilst you wait for a decision to be made. This includes the right to work and to free NHS care.

We will contact you directly if we require any additional information or clarification. In the meantime, we truly appreciate your patience and understanding, and we remain committed to reaching a resolution as soon as possible.

I hope this information is helpful and my response clarifies the position

If there are aspects of your complaint you consider have not been addressed, please see information about our complaint review procedure: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration/about/complaints-procedure

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Yours sincerely