LASORS section C has the relevant information.
LASORS: LASORS 2010 | Publications | CAA
All it says is you need to be 16 years old to fly solo and 17 for license issue. So I don't see any reason why they would let you fly a qualifying cross country solo but not take the general skills test with an examiner.
I don't remember if there is a time limited period after the skills test in which you have to apply for the license, so check on that, and make sure you don't take the test only for it to expire before your 17th birthday!
Your instructor should know all of this, so it's probably best to ask him/ her.