R23 Response Accepted Self-assessed

Database access for identity verification

Recommendation

Registered Bodies, or the CRB, should be able to check passports and driving licences presented as proof of identity against the Passport Service and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) databases.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which replaced the CRB, introduced digital identity verification using UK passports by February 2025, confirming its ability to check identity documents against official databases such as the Passport Service (Gov.uk progress, 2025-02-01). This aligns with the recommendation for Registered Bodies to access Passport Service and DVLA databases for identity verification.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 18 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted
Accepted Home Office
22 Jun 2004

The Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament on 22 June 2004, the day the Bichard Inquiry Report was published, accepting all 31 recommendations in full. The government stated it was "in principle, accepting Sir Michael's main recommendations and will act on them immediately." Implementation led to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the creation of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (now the Disclosure and Barring Service). By February 2007, 21 of the 31 recommendations had been fully or substantially completed. See Hansard, 22 June 2004.

Read Full Response
Note: Government responded with a single statement accepting all 31 recommendations. Individual per-recommendation responses were not published separately.
Progress Timeline
Home Office states: Official Report
01 Feb 2025

DBS introduced digital identity verification using UK passports, confirming ability to check identity documents against official databases like the Passport Service.

Source
Source
Inquiry Bichard Inquiry
Report The Bichard Inquiry Report 22 Jun 2004
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Home Office Primary
Themes & Tags
Police Vetting Inconsistencies Vetting Identity Verification
Recommendation age 21.8 yrs
Last formal update 416 days ago