The UK has a weird "identity" system: you now need proof of immigration status in order to get a job, a bank account, or rent a house (and you need to show ID to buy a house too). For British nationals this effectively means you have to have a passport, which is biometric ID.

The system also rests on utility bills - my wife was securing the services of a lawyer recently, and the government-issue driving license with photo and address is apparently not enough, you have to have a utility bill in your name too.