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Alcohol Licensing – Age Verification: Digital identity, technology and remote sales – Consultation on amending the Licensing Act
24 January 2024
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Home Office
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The UK government is consulting on amending the Licensing Act 2003 to allow digital identities and technology for age verification in alcohol sales, and whether to specify that age checks must occur at delivery points for remote alcohol sales.
Action Requested
The Government is launching an 8-week consultation period and will publish its response in due course on Gov.UK. The proposed amendments aim to enable the use of digital identities for age verification while ensuring national standards are met, and address whether the Act should cover age checks at delivery points for non-face-to-face alcohol sales.
Key Facts
- Consultation period is 8 weeks.
- Government will publish its response on Gov.UK in due course.
- Current legislation requires physical identity documents with holographic mark or ultraviolet feature.
- The Act does not allow technology to play a role in age verification for alcohol sales.
- National standards for digital identities and technology must be approved by government before any change is implemented.
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