We are having big problems with UK Border Agency at the moment. They have been processing my husband's very simple and straightforward Indefinite Leave to Remain for.......FIVE MONTHS!! It costs £972 just to apply, and naturally the cheque whizzed through into their account early last December. But since then, nothing.
As the UK government seems incapable of deporting anyone without the permission of the EC I'd be tempted to retain a copy of the application & of the receipt for postage (registered letter?) and assume it had been successful.