These guys are currently very overbooked - not surprisingly, since can you imagine how many applications they have to deal with now from people who thought they would be able to apply for an ILR after 4 years...
Anyway, I've recently got mine done and they are genuinely trying to speed the things up if you've got any reason for urgent treatment - travel, new contract starting soon, etc. There's a special form to request urgent treatment, which can be printed out from
http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/workin ... evutf1.doc
Fill it in and fax to 0114 207 6017.
In addition, it may be worth writing them an email to
wpukltr@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk and explaining the case. They usually reply within a couple of days.