Back before computer-issued licences, when they were still bits of card held together by a shoelace, and there was a photo in the licence, the Home Office accepted it as proof of right of entry to the UK.
When the CAA changed to computer-printed licences, without a photo, that right was withdrawn.
Any PC nowadays has the capability to store photos. My aircrew ID card has a (copmputer-stored) photo on it - any airport nowadays is capable of it. So how come the CAA isn't? Don't we pay enough for these licences?