Minister for Policing and Crime ( ): Today I am pleased to inform the
House that those members of the public who are fortunate enough
to look younger than their age, but are always having to carry
their passport or driving licence to prove they are 18 or over to
buy a pint in a pub, will soon no longer have this dilemma. In
future, digital ID will be a quick and secure way to prove age
without revealing any additional personal details to bar staff,
and will mean that passports can be left safely at home by those
who choose this option.
I am therefore laying a statutory instrument to deliver on our
commitment to update the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing
Conditions) Order 2010 (the Order) made under the Licensing Act
2003 (LA03). This change will permit the use of certified and
registered Digital Verification Services (DVS) for the sale and
supply of alcohol in England and Wales, where certain conditions
are met.
Currently, the Order requires physical documents bearing a
photograph, date of birth and security features to verify age.
However, with the increasing adoption of secure digital
technologies, the Government recognises the need to align
legislation with today's consumer habits and modern technology.
Those who prefer to prove their age using physical documents can
still do so.
This change will allow alcohol retailers and clubs to accept
digital proof of age, provided it is presented from a DVS that is
certified against the UK DVS trust framework, appears on the
statutory DVS register on GOV.UK, and meets certain conditions as
specified in the Mandatory Licensing Conditions. Certified and
registered digital verification services allow individuals to
choose from a range of identity evidence when setting up a
digital proof of age, including physical documents, information
held by public authorities and digital credentials issued by the
government, like the upcoming digital driving licence. To prove
age when purchasing alcohol, there will not be any requirement to
use a specific source of identity evidence if using a DVS, and
physical forms of identification will still be accepted.
The updated mandatory condition will:
- Permit the use of registered DVS for age verification in
alcohol sales and supply where specific conditions are met.
- Help to ensure that those DVS meet strict standards for
security, privacy, and reliability, as set out in the trust
framework.
- Maintain the core licensing objectives, including the
protection of children from harm, by ensuring that digital age
checks are as robust as checks using physical documents.
Subject to Parliamentary procedure, the Government intends the
Statutory Instrument to come into effect in Autumn 2026. An
Economic Note will be published on legislation.gov.uk alongside
the instrument.
