https://www.theguardian.com/money/2021/jul/03/dvla-delays-call-for-licence-extensions-as-complaints-flood-in

Government urged to step in and resolve backlog in applications or ensure motorists’ ID is returned

Motorists left for months without a valid driving licence are calling on the government to automatically extend dates for a year, and help clear the backlog, as complaints about the DVLA continue to pour in.