Pubs and retail outlets will be permitted to accept digital ID as valid proof of age when purchasing alcohol under new laws.
The policy provides a modern alternative to carrying physical identity documents, enabling customers to use their mobile phones to verify their age in pubs, live concerts and festivals.
Taking effect on Tuesday, these statutory updates to the licensing act apply across commercial businesses in England and Wales.
However, officials anticipate that widespread adoption of the technoligy will take some time.
The digital proof will be delivered via third-party software such as Yoti, a service already deployed in specific contexts, such as verifying young filmgoers buying age-restricted cinema tickets.
Ministers intend to broaden digital age verification past retail alcohol purchases, targeting sales of tobacco products and vaping devices as the next immediate priority.
The move follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham cancelling a broader national digital ID project originally formulated during the tenure of his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
The policy provides a modern alternative to carrying physical identity documents, enabling customers to use their mobile phones to verify their age in pubs, live concerts and festivals.
Taking effect on Tuesday, these statutory updates to the licensing act apply across commercial businesses in England and Wales.
However, officials anticipate that widespread adoption of the technoligy will take some time.
The digital proof will be delivered via third-party software such as Yoti, a service already deployed in specific contexts, such as verifying young filmgoers buying age-restricted cinema tickets.
Ministers intend to broaden digital age verification past retail alcohol purchases, targeting sales of tobacco products and vaping devices as the next immediate priority.
The move follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham cancelling a broader national digital ID project originally formulated during the tenure of his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.