A national ID card scheme looks more certain after home secretary David Blunkett revealed that 80 per cent of the public support the scheme.
The figure, which comes from surveys of public opinion commissioned by the Home Office, was confirmed to thePublican.com after Mr Blunkett referred to it in a TV interview.
The trade believes a move to a single, national card, showing the holder's date of birth would be preferable to the multiple national and local schemes which increase the possibility of fake IDs.
A Home Office spokesman said: "Two surveys carried out in December and February showed the high level of support for the entitlement card schemes. We'll be publishing the detailed results of the survey along with the full results of our consultation later in the summer."
Mr Blunkett wants to introduce a voluntary card that would prove the holder's entitlement to state benefits. The proposal has the support of trade bodies, including the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations.
The ALMR argues that a national scheme is the best way for the trade to meet the requirements of the Criminal Justice and Police Act, which imposed a "positive duty" on retailers to determine a person's age before making a sale.
Industry watchdog The Portman Group also welcomed the latest development. Chief executive Jean Coussins said: "We think that the government should introduce a national, voluntary proof-of-age card to help prevent sales of alcohol to under-18s. Our new PASS accredited card (pictured), which was launched at the beginning of June, is a foolproof way of making sure that the purchaser is over 18."