The UK government has intensified work on laws to ban for-profit ticket resales, despite the proposal being absent from this year’s King’s Speech. Artists and music industry figures are urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to fulfil Labour’s pledge, arguing that touts exploit fans and harm live music, particularly at smaller venues.

Research covering 300 events at 13 Greater Manchester venues found tickets listed substantially above face value, including one £5,899 ticket representing a 19,728% mark-up. FanFair Alliance said three touts accounted for more than 75% of listings, while Viagogo disputed that figure and said actual sale prices were lower; the government is also considering measures to prevent platforms relocating offshore.