Corporate report

Biometrics Commissioner’s valedictory report: 2024 to 2025

The Biometrics Commissioner’s valedictory report, including casework data from January 2024 to March 2025.

• From: Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner
• Published: 19 May 2026

Documents

Biometrics Commissioner's valedictory report: 2024 to 2025 (accessible)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6163-8, E03523155 05/26

Unnumbered act paper

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Biometrics Commissioner's valedictory report: 2024 to 2025

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6163-8, E03523155 05/26

Unnumbered command paper

PDF, 3.14 MB, 32 pages

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Biometrics Commissioner's valedictory report: 2024 to 2025 (print-ready)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6163-8, E03523155 05/26

Unnumbered act paper

PDF, 3.14 MB, 32 pages

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Biometrics Commissioner's valedictory report: 2024 to 2025 (large print)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6163-8, E03523155 05/26

PDF, 476 KB, 44 pages

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Details

This report sets out the work undertaken by the previous Biometrics Commissioner, Francesca Whitelaw KC. It includes figures on the receipt and consideration of applications to retain biometrics to the end of March 2025, together with data that was not included in the 2023 to 2024 annual report while the future of the office remained under consideration.

The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Professor Webster notes:

I am very grateful to Francesca for her work between July and October 2025, before I took up post, and for the generous advice and support she provided ahead of my appointment as Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner in November 2025.

Oversight of section 63G cases and National Security Determinations is an important part of my role, providing independent scrutiny of the continued retention by the police of highly sensitive biometric material and helping to safeguard individual rights while maintaining public confidence that these powers are exercised appropriately. I am pleased that her work and reflections have now been placed on the public record through this report.

Following His Majesty The King’s Speech to both Houses of Parliament last week, the governance framework for biometrics is likely to change in due course.

I will provide a further update on these matters in my first annual report.

Published 19 May 2026