Major artists and the wider music industry have come together for a new campaign, urging Sir Keir Starmer to keep his manifesto promise to “put fans first” and commit to a ban of ticket touting in the upcoming King’s Speech.
The activity is being led by the FanFair Alliance, a campaign against industrial-scale online ticket touting originally established by the Music Managers Forum with leading artist manager and wider music industry backing.
It comes after posters appeared across the Prime Minister’s constituency of Holborn & St Pancras, including at major music venues KOKO, the Electric Ballroom, the O2 Forum Kentish Town and The Jazz Cafe.
In November 2025, following an open letter signed by artists including Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Radiohead, Sam Fender, Iron Maiden and Robert Smith, the UK government unveiled a raft of pro-consumer actions that would make it illegal to resell tickets for live events above original cost.
Business Secretary, Peter Kyle, said these “bold new measures” would smash the model of ticket touts to pieces. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the proposals “will shut down the touts’ racket and make world-class music, comedy, theatre and sport affordable for everyone.”
It was widely anticipated that the government would formally introduce this legislation as part of the upcoming King’s Speech (May 13). Last month, a major report by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee recommended that implementation of such legislation should occur “without delay” and with robust enforcement.
However, according to a report in the FT, it is now suggested that only draft legislation is likely to be announced. That could delay meaningful action by up to three years.
In response to the new campaign, a government spokesperson said: “We set out decisive plans last year to stamp out touting once and for all, and we are absolutely committed to delivering on them as soon as possible for the benefit of fans and industry."
We urge them to stick to their word and deliver these measures without delay
Adam Webb
Adam Webb, campaign manager, FanFair Alliance, said: “We were promised fans would be put first. We were promised an end to exploitative ticket touting. Having made such strident commitments in November last year, it would be bewildering if the government now decided to postpone legislation and relegate the interests of UK consumers. We urge them to stick to their word and deliver these measures without delay.”
Annabella Coldrick, chief executive, Music Managers Forum, said: “We were told 2026 would be the year of action, not announcements. It’s ridiculous that after a manifesto commitment, full consultation and cross party support this government doesn’t appear to be able to actually deliver any change.”
Jon Collins, CEO, LIVE, said: “We welcomed the Prime Minister's promise to tackle touts last year but a draft bill is not enough. The plan to include legislation as a draft risks delaying action by three years, at a cost of nearly £500 million to consumers. Fans have waited long enough for an end to the ticket touting scandal, and there is no need for further consultation. It's time for government to deliver on its promise.”
UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl said: "Unscrupulous ticket touts have been ripping off the UK's music fans for too long and undermining our world-leading sector which contributes £8 billion a year to the economy.
"The government made a manifesto commitment to take action against these rip-off merchants who prey on music fans and suck money out of the industry. Action is long overdue. We need Ministers to live up to their promises to cap ticket prices and finally tackle the rampant abuse of the secondary ticketing market."
FOLLOW 
