R24 Response Accepted Self-assessed

Photograph requirement for identity documents

Recommendation

There should be an expectation that documents produced to confirm identity should, wherever possible, include a photograph.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) introduced digital identity verification using UK passports by February 2025, which inherently includes a photograph, aligning with the expectation that identity documents should, wherever possible, include a photograph (Gov.uk progress, 2025-02-01). This reflects the expectation for photographic identity for verification purposes.
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
This recommendation asks for cultural or behavioural change, which is difficult to verify objectively. The assessment is based on policy commitments, not measured outcomes.
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, aligning with the expectation that identity documents should include a photograph.

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