Digital technologies could play greater role in preventing under-age booze sales

It is also considering whether to amend legislation in order to specify that for sales of alcohol that do not take place face to face, age verification should take place at the point of delivery as well as the point of sale.

Currently, if anyone appears to be under 18, they need to produce photo ID that includes their date of birth and either a holographic mark or ultraviolet feature.

In practice this means only physical identity documents are permitted.

“The government is keen to enable the secure and appropriate use of new technologies that can improve the experience of consumers and retailers,” said the Home Office.

“We are therefore consulting on whether to amend the act so as to allow digital identities and technology to play a role in age verification.”

Any change would only take effect once government-approved national standards were in place, it added.

Talking Retail