Ban Ticket Touting Before King's Speech, UK Urged

UK music and consumer groups are urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to move quickly on a proposed ban on ticket touting , amid concern the policy could be left out of the King’s Speech on May 13. The push has intensified after listings for BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, scheduled for May 24, showed large mark-ups by professional resellers despite efforts to keep prices low and access local.

The Labour Party’s 2024 election manifesto included a pledge to outlaw the resale of tickets for profit. Stakeholders said they are now seeking clarity on whether the government will bring forward legislation through the main programme set out in the King’s Speech, or whether the issue will be delayed.

Ian Murray, the minister responsible for the policy, told industry groups last week that the measure might not be included in the King’s Speech. He pointed to other possible routes, including private members’ bills, according to the groups. That prospect has prompted criticism and concern from parts of the sector, including the chair of the culture select committee and the consumer organisation Which?, who have expressed dismay at the possibility of a slower timetable.

O2, the telecoms company, estimated that fans have lost £60 million to touts since the policy was announced. The estimate has been cited by campaigners as evidence that the issue has direct financial consequences for consumers and that delays could prolong losses.

Attention has focused on resale activity linked to Radio 1’s Big Weekend. On March 12, 449 tickets were listed on Viagogo and StubHub above face value, with the highest price reaching £622 for a £45 ticket. By March 31, the number of listed tickets had risen to 571, advertised for a combined price of £86,546 compared with a face value total of £27,278.

Campaigners also pointed to the international footprint of the listings. The tickets were advertised by sellers in multiple overseas locations, and many listings did not include required trader details, according to the information cited by stakeholders. This occurred despite measures by the BBC and Ticketmaster intended to prioritise local access and keep prices low.

The debate has become a test of how quickly the government can translate manifesto commitments into legislation, and how it chooses to do so. For the live events market, the dispute centres on whether rules can curb professional resale practices that inflate prices, while for consumers it focuses on transparency and the cost of attending major cultural events.