UK Music Industry Slams Government Delay on Ticket Touting Legislation
The UK live music industry is criticizing the government for delaying legislation to combat ticket touting, despite earlier promises to crack down on resale profiteering. Key figures and organizations voice their disappointment.
The U.K. live industry has criticized the government after ministers stopped short of introducing immediate legislation to tackle ticket touting, despite Labour’s 2024 pledge to crack down on resale profiteering.
In the King’s Speech delivered in the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday (May 13), the issue was referenced only through proposed draft legislation, dubbed the Draft Ticket Tout Ban Bill. The decision means reforms to the secondary ticketing market have not been prioritized for the current parliamentary session, with the process now expected to face further consultation and committee scrutiny before any formal legislation is introduced.
The announcement comes amid wider political turbulence surrounding U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, with critics questioning whether key manifesto commitments are being pushed down the list of priorities following a drubbing at last week’s local elections.
The issue of ticket touting was first addressed by Labour in their 2024 general election manifesto, which saw the party promise to “put fans back at the heart of events by introducing new consumer protections on ticket resales.”
In early 2025, the government outlined plans to introduce a resale price cap aimed at preventing touts from making profit on live event tickets sold through secondary platforms. Under these proposals, tickets to live events could only be resold at or below their original purchase price, while resale platform service fees would also face restrictions.
The proposals led to a consultation involving the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) and other industry stakeholders. Yet following this review, no concrete plans were announced, leading to a fresh campaign by a wide swathe of the U.K. music industry. Acts including Dua Lipa, The Cure, Ed Sheeran, Radiohead and Coldplay have all shown support for the legislation, first in an open letter last year and again on social media this past week.
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 U.K. fans and the U.K. 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 U.K. managing director, Sarah Slater, added: “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.”
Virgin Media O2, which has launched its Stamp It Tout campaign backing resale restrictions, also criticized the delay in action. “The government previously committed to decisive action on ticket touting, so limiting this to draft legislation is disappointing,” said Gareth Griffiths, the telecommunication company’s director of partnerships and sponsorship.
He added: “At a time when consumers are already under financial pressure, delays to reform will continue to hurt concertgoers, artists and the wider live sector O2 will continue pushing for legislation that protects fans from exploitative resale practices.”
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.”
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