Starmer Pressured to Implement Ticket Touting Ban as Resellers Exploit BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing urgent calls from music industry groups to fulfill his commitment to ban ticket touting, amid growing concerns that the policy may be omitted from next month's king's speech. This potential delay could cost music fans hundreds of millions of pounds, as professional ticket resellers continue to exploit major events like BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend.
Industry Alarm Over Potential Policy Delay
During a recent parliamentary meeting, Ian Murray, the minister responsible for the touting policy, suggested that the measure might not be included in the king's speech on 13 May, which outlines the government's legislative agenda. Murray pointed to alternative legislative routes such as private members' bills, which are generally considered unreliable for enacting significant policy changes.
This hint at a possible postponement has sparked dismay among music industry representatives, the chair of the culture select committee, and the consumer organization Which?. They argue that any delay would undermine the government's promise to protect fans from exploitative pricing practices.
Massive Profits from Big Weekend Ticket Resales
Evidence gathered by the music industry group FanFair Alliance and shared with the Guardian reveals that professional ticket traders are making substantial profits from BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, scheduled for Sunday, 24 May in Sunderland. Despite measures by the BBC and official seller Ticketmaster to keep prices low and prioritize local access, resellers have circumvented these restrictions.
Although there was a two-ticket purchase limit, some touts advertised up to 30 tickets in a single Viagogo listing. On 12 March, 449 Big Weekend tickets were listed on Viagogo and StubHub, all priced above face value. The most extreme example was a £45 ticket being sold for £622.
By 31 March, the number of tickets across both platforms had increased to 571, excluding duplicates. These tickets were advertised for a combined total of £86,546, compared to their original face value of £27,278.
International Touting Despite Local Protections
Despite 90% of tickets being reserved for local residents, tickets were listed by resellers based in the Netherlands, Dubai, Hong Kong, Belgium, Israel, North America, Sweden, Slovakia, France, Ireland, and Singapore. Many listings failed to provide trader details, potentially violating consumer protection regulations.
In some cases, resale platforms did not disclose terms and conditions that could result in fans being turned away at events if they purchased from touts. StubHub acknowledged an error in failing to flag resale restrictions for Big Weekend and stated it had updated its system accordingly.
Industry and Political Reactions
Caroline Dinenage, chair of the culture select committee, warned that omitting the touting ban from the king's speech would raise doubts about the government's commitment to protecting music lovers. The committee has produced a fan-led review of live music that supports such legislation.
Lisa Webb, a consumer law expert at Which?, emphasized that further delay would only benefit secondary ticketing websites and online touts, contrary to the government's promise to prioritize fans.
Annabella Coldrick, chief executive of the Music Managers Forum, noted that the ticket touting ban was one of only two music-related commitments in Labour's election manifesto. She stressed that these measures enjoy broad support and would deliver tangible benefits to the public, while any delay would continue to cost constituents hundreds of millions annually.
Platform Responses and Broader Impact
StubHub stated that sellers on its platform must comply with requirements, including providing clear address details. The company argued that price caps on ticket resales could drive fans toward unsafe alternatives with higher fraud risks.
Viagogo described itself as a regulated marketplace operating in full compliance with UK and international regulations, with robust security and fraud prevention measures. The company said it would suspend or terminate accounts and listings found to violate its policies or user agreements.
The telecoms company and venue sponsor O2 estimates that fans have lost approximately £60 million to touts since the policy was announced, with supporters of artists like Olivia Dean, Bad Bunny, and Ariana Grande facing mark-ups of up to 1,000%.
Numerous globally renowned artists, including Radiohead, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay, have endorsed the proposed ban on ticket touting for profit.
