UK Government Accelerates Laws to Ban Concert Ticket Resale Profits
Legislation targeting for-profit ticket resales gains momentum as artists press Keir Starmer to honor his campaign pledge.
British officials have intensified work on legislation designed to eliminate the secondary ticketing market that allows touts to resell concert tickets at inflated prices, according to sources familiar with the effort. The push comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure from musicians to follow through on a commitment made before Labour won the 2024 general election.
Among those lobbying the government are rapper Tinie Tempah and Mike Joyce, the drummer for the Smiths — a band Starmer has publicly identified as one of his favorites. Their involvement signals growing frustration within the music industry over the pace of legislative action since Labour took power.
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Starmer pledged last year that his government would "stop fans from being ripped off" by banning for-profit resales on platforms such as Viagogo and StubHub. That promise originated in Labour's 2024 election manifesto and has been seen as a litmus test of the party's commitment to consumer protection in the live entertainment sector.
The secondary ticketing market has long drawn criticism from artists, consumer advocates, and fans who argue that algorithmic pricing and bulk buying by resellers drive ticket costs far beyond their original face value. While the government has not announced a firm legislative timeline, sources indicate the effort to draft workable laws has accelerated in recent weeks.
The outcome could reshape how millions of UK fans access live events, and it is likely to face opposition from resale platforms that argue they provide liquidity and choice for consumers. Continue reading at Business | The Guardian.
