U.K. Live Industry Dismayed as Government Delays Ticket Touting Laws: ‘A Betrayal of Millions of Music Fans’
Categoria: Musica
In the King’s Speech delivered on Wednesday (May 13), the issue was referenced only through proposed draft legislation.
Por Billboard | 13/05/2026
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. Related Ed Sheeran Among Figures Urging U.K. Government Not to Delay Ticket Tout Ban Backline Launches Mental Health Toolkit for Dance Music Community: 'Seeking Help Is Not Something to Be Ashamed Of' Fugees' Pras Michel Surrenders to Authorities to Begin 14-Year Prison Sentence, Vows to Appeal 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 de