The music industry has been left “disappointed” by the UK government’s decision to introduce a draft bill aimed at banning ticket touting, which was unveiled during the King’s Speech today (Wednesday, May 13). The move comes just days after Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised to “stamp out ticket touts for good” in a direct letter to live music fans, pledging to act as swiftly as possible.

A Delay in Legislative Action

Despite the Prime Minister’s recent assurances, the inclusion of the plans as a “Draft Ticket Tout Ban Bill” has been met with skepticism. By categorizing the legislation as a draft, the government has effectively deprioritized the issue, subjecting it to a process of consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny by parliamentary committees. Industry experts warn that this could turn a vital piece of legislation into a multi-year process, rather than the immediate action many had hoped for.

The proposed bill aims to dismantle the operating model of ticket touts by capping resale prices at face value, limiting service fees, and empowering the Competition and Markets Authority to impose significant fines. However, the requirement for further consultation has drawn sharp criticism from key industry figures.

Industry Reaction

Tom Kiehl, chief executive of UK Music, described the delay as a “betrayal of millions of music fans.” He stated, “Until we get action on sky-high ticket resales, we will continue to see cash siphoned overseas from the wallets of UK fans and the UK music industry in order to swell the already huge profits of ticket resale businesses.”

Ticketmaster UK’s managing director, Sarah Slater, echoed these sentiments, noting that the lack of definitive legislative action is “disappointing.” Similarly, Rocio Concha, Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, emphasized that relegating the bill to a draft status could allow “ruthless touts” to continue thriving while the legislation is debated.

Annabella Coldrick, chief executive of the Music Managers Forum, expressed frustration at the “puzzling” logic of delaying a manifesto commitment that had already undergone a full public consultation. “We need deeds, not words, and a clear and coherent timeline on when this manifesto promise will be fulfilled,” she added.

Government Response

In response to the criticism, a government spokesperson maintained that the administration remains “fully committed to stamping out ticket touting for good.” The spokesperson explained that the draft legislation is intended to ensure that the final measures are “truly effective, enforceable and future-proof.”

Meanwhile, secondary ticket site Viagogo has offered a different perspective, arguing that a simple price cap may not solve the underlying issues of choice and competition. The company suggested that a more comprehensive approach, including the linking of primary and resale platforms, is necessary to create a truly transparent ticketing environment.

As the debate continues, the music industry remains focused on ensuring that the government delivers on its promise to protect fans from price-gouging, with many urging MPs to identify alternative opportunities to fast-track the legislation within the current parliamentary session.