The Labour government committed to tackling ticket touts and supporting genuine fans when it stood for office in 2024.
But the live sector has today reacted with disappointment as, almost two years on, ministers are not yet ready to legislate to deal with secondary ticketing.
In the King’s Speech, only draft legislation was included meaning that a Bill on secondary ticketing is not a priority to be put before Parliament in this session. It will instead remain subject to further public consultation and review by Parliamentary committees.
The King’s Speech outlining legislation took place amid political uncertainty about the future of PM Sir Keir Starmer.
In November, ministers announced proposals for a ticket resale price cap – an effective ban on touts who profit from huge mark-ups for in-demand concerts on resale platforms. It followed a consultation process with input from the Competition & Markets Authority.
Responding to the King’s Speech, UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl said: “The government’s failure to take long-promised action on the shady ticket touts and rogue businesses who continue to rip off consumers is a betrayal of millions of music fans.
“Until we get action on sky-high ticket resales, we will continue to see cash siphoned overseas from the wallets of UK fans and the UK music industry in order to swell the already huge profits of ticket resale businesses.
"I urge MPs to explore the legislative programme and identify alternative opportunities to ensure primary legislation is passed in this year's Parliamentary session.”
Ticketmaster’s UK managing director, Sarah Slater, said: “No definitive legislative action to stop ticket touts profiteering is disappointing.
“Ticketmaster voluntarily capped resale prices at face value back in 2018 and continues to invest in protecting fans with safer digital tickets, stronger bot detection, clearer pricing and better information in the queue.
“As long as touts are allowed to make huge profits reselling tickets on other platforms, the problem will continue.”
As long as touts are allowed to make huge profits reselling tickets on other platforms, the problem will continue
Sarah Slater
Annabella Coldrick, chief executive, Music Managers Forum, said: “Despite having been reassured by the Prime Minister in a letter to fans on Friday that there would be action ‘as soon as possible’, the relegation of this important issue to a ‘draft bill’ in the footnotes of the King’s Speech is hugely disappointing.
“Having campaigned on this issue for a decade, and following a Labour manifesto commitment and full public consultation by government resulting in strong commitments to legislate last November, it’s puzzling to see the logic in kicking this back down the line.”
Coldrick added: “Choosing the longer path via a ‘draft ticket tout ban bill’ will also adversely impact music fans, who are already losing hundreds of millions of pounds each year to price-gouging ticket touts. Further delays will cost them dearly.”
“We agree with the Prime Minister that legislation must be well-drafted and effective. But we need deeds, not words, and a clear and coherent timeline on when this manifesto promise will be fulfilled.”
Adam Webb, campaign manager, FanFair Alliance, said: “We fully support the government's commitment to ‘put fans first and ban ticket touting ‘as soon as possible’. However, draft legislation offers a curiously circuitous route to deliver these long-promised reforms. Why take the long road when you could protect music fans today?”
Why take the long road when you could protect music fans today?
Adam Webb
A government spokesperson said: “As the Prime Minister has made clear, we remain fully committed to stamping out ticket touting for good. For too long, fans have been ripped off and we're determined to right that wrong.
“That's why we are taking the time to get this right by bringing forward draft legislation to ensure that our measures are truly effective, enforceable and future-proof and fans get the protection and security they have always deserved.”
O2 launched its Stamp It Tout campaign to support proposals for a price cap.
Gareth Griffiths, director, partnerships and sponsorship, Virgin Media O2, said: “Just last November, the government promised to put fans first and take bold action against ticket touts – so O2 is disappointed to see only draft legislation included in the King’s Speech. Whilst it’s a step forward, it simply does not go far enough, and the delays will hit the pockets of concertgoers hard.
“When every pound has never mattered more, this is a real blow to music fans as well as the industry and the artists who have made it loud and clear they want to see real change. O2 will not stop campaigning for a fairer ticketing market until our gigs are protected from profit-seeking touts by law.”
The ticket resale price cap would make it illegal to resell a ticket for a live event at more than its original cost. There would also be measures to cap the service fees charged by resale platforms.
The Competition and Markets Authority would have powers to impose fines of up to 10% of global turnover upon those found to be breaching the new laws.
A spokesperson for resale platform Viagogo said: “We recognise the government’s position and the need for legislation that improves ticketing for fans in the UK. However, Viagogo does not believe a resale price cap will ensure fans have choice, increase competition in the UK ticketing market, or reduce ticket fraud.
"We’re ready to work with the government on practical, pro-competitive reforms to create a better ticketing industry. Resale accounts for just 6% of the market, while primary platforms dominate at 94%. Real progress requires looking at the whole ecosystem starting with open ticketing. Linking primary and resale platforms would increase competition, lower prices, improve traceability, and give fans more choice in safer, more transparent environments.
"Without this joined-up approach, reform will fall short. Focusing only on price caps risks entrenching a dominant primary player, driving prices higher and leaving fans with fewer options and greater risk.”
MAIN PHOTO: Coldplay at Wembley Stadium (Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
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