11.05.2026: UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urging him to deliver on his manifesto promises to crack down on unscrupulous ticket touts by introducing a price cap on secondary ticket sales, and to tear down barriers to EU touring.
His call comes amid media reports suggesting that this urgently needed clampdown – promised in Labour’s General Election manifesto – has been dropped from the upcoming King’s Speech on Wednesday March 13 (see under notes to editors for full letter).
In 2024, the UK music industry was worth £8 billion to the UK economy, delivered £4.8 billion in exports and employed 220,000 people. However, this vital contribution will be undermined if greedy ticket touts are allowed to continue ripping off music fans by snapping up tickets and reselling them at exorbitant prices.
In his letter, which you can read here, Tom Kiehl notes that at present touts can acquire vast quantities of tickets and resell them at heavily inflated prices, pricing out real music fans. This damages confidence in the ticketing system and frustrates the efforts of artists, venues, and promoters to keep live events accessible and affordable.
The Government committed in its manifesto to introduce “new consumer protections on ticket resales”. UK Music responded to a Government consultation on its plans by supporting plans for a price cap on ticket resales.
The Government formally agreed to do so in its response to the consultation in November last year in a move widely welcomed by the music industry, fan groups and consumer organisations.
However, speculation has mounted that Government will fail to announce its long-anticipated crackdown in the King’s Speech and may only introduce a “draft Bill” – diminishing the prospect of any immediate action.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: “If the King’s Speech, to be delivered on 13 May, fails to deliver progress on two specific and vital Labour manifesto pledges then this will represent a major loss of momentum and land a hammer blow to the huge economic growth music generates.
“Music fans are the lifeblood of our £8 billion industry, and the Government must do everything in its power to ensure they are no longer ripped off on the secondary ticketing market. By introducing a price cap on ticket resale, government can put an end to profiteering touts pricing real fans out of their favourite artists’ shows.
“UK Music is also calling for government to remove costly and time-consuming obstacles to EU touring. Seamless cultural exchange between the UK and the EU is essential to driving export growth, and UK artists must be able to build fanbases across the EU free from the prohibitive barriers currently in place.
“We therefore urge you to use the forthcoming legislative session to deliver on your clear manifesto commitments regarding ticket resale and EU touring.”
Draft Bills are usually reserved for contentious issues that have not been adequately consulted on. UK Music, which champions the UK music industry, believes the ticketing legislation must be included in the King’s Speech after years of delay.
Leading artists and musicians have backed calls for the Government to take action against ticket touts. In November 2025, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Radiohead, Sam Fender, Iron Maiden and Robert Smith were among those who signed an open letter demanding the Government clamp down on the touts.
According to consumer organisation Which?, in 2025, tickets for Beyoncé’s UK tour dates were selling on secondary ticketing platforms for up to £23,899. Which? also reported this year that unofficial secondary ticketing sites could earn an extra £24 million from fans this summer if a resale cap is not introduced. (More information can be found under notes to editors below).
Meanwhile, UK Music is also urging the Government to live up to its manifesto pledge to remove barriers to EU touring. The UK’s exit from the EU has created several barriers that are making EU tours expensive, bureaucratic, and confusing for artists and crew. This is hampering music and other cultural sectors and negatively impacting the economy.
The Government’s manifesto committed to resolving these barriers to touring. However, at this point we are yet to see sufficient progress. Government support for the recent launch of the Cultural Exchange Coalition, as pioneered by UK Music, its members and other cultural organisations was hugely welcome, but it would be a missed opportunity if the King’s Speech did not reinforce this support further.
UK Music has been encouraged by talk of a potential EU Alignment Bill aimed at reducing trade friction. Any legislation must address the core issues impacting EU touring. Specifically, the Government should look to use the mechanisms within an alignment framework to reduce carnet costs and bureaucracy, solve visa issues, and address cabotage restrictions.
By addressing these manifesto promises in the King’s Speech, the Government will signal that it truly values the creative industries as a pillar of national growth.
This story was reported by:
Daily Star (print)
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