The Cure, Ed Sheeran and major music industry players are calling on the U.K. government to not delay bringing their manifesto pledge to ban ticket touting into legislation.
During its 2024 election campaign, the Labour party included pledges to ban the practice of ticket reselling beyond face value, and a raft of measures to “put fans first” across music, entertainment and sport events.
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The measure was widely expected to appear in the upcoming King’s Speech (May 13), where the monarch will speak at the State Opening of Parliament. The speech lays out the program of legislation that the government — currently led by Sir Keir Starmer — intends to pursue in the forthcoming parliamentary session.
A report by the Financial Times on Wednesday (May 6), however, claims that Starmer is unlikely to include a full bill to address the issue and that it is likely to be delayed by a year, despite pressure from music industry groups and artists. A draft bill is expected to still be included in the speech, the FT reports, but will likely not become law until 2027.
The topic has been called for by a wide swathe of the U.K. music industry and its artists. Telecommunications firm O2, who sponsor 20 music venues across the U.K. including London’s 20,000-capacity O2 Arena, has backed the ban on reselling above face value. The Cure, Ed Sheeran, Radiohead and Coldplay have all shown support for the legislation, first in an open letter and again on social media on Wednesday.
In November 2025, the government announced its intention to bring forth legislation that would save fans collectively £112 million ($152 million) per year and “end the business model of industrial-scale ticket touting.” StubHub and Viagogo, two firms who would be impacted by the ban, have said that any ban would push fans to “black markets” to secure tickets.
The topic has been highlighted by a number of artists who have been dismayed by ticket onsale issues in recent years. In 2024, passes for Oasis’ reunion tour were listed on resale platforms well above face value, while Olivia Dean criticised Ticketmaster and AXS for alleged “exploitative” practices when the North American leg of her The Art Of Loving tour went on sale last year.
Last month the government’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee published a major report calling for the legislation to be enshrined into law and for the establishment of a government and industry-backed Music Fans Association.
Adam Webb, campaign manager at FanFair Alliance says, “We were promised fans would be put first. We were promised an end to exploitative ticket touting. Having made such strident commitments in November last year, it would be bewildering if the Government now decided to postpone legislation and relegate the interests of UK consumers. We urge them to stick to their word and deliver these measures without delay.”
Annabella Coldrick, chief executive of the Music Managers Forum adds, “We were told 2026 would be the year of action, not announcements. It’s ridiculous that after a manifesto commitment, full consultation and cross party support this Government doesn’t appear to be able to actually deliver any change.”
A government spokesperson did not comment on the speculation but told Billboard U.K.: “We set out decisive plans last year to stamp out touting once and for all, and we are absolutely committed to delivering on them as soon as possible for the benefit of fans and industry.”
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