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Secondary Ticketing Market — [Andrew Rosindell in the Chair]
24 October 2024
Lead MP
Emma Foody
Cramlington and Killingworth
Lab Co-op
Responding Minister
Chris Bryant
Tags
Economy
Word Count: 12960
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Emma Foody raised concerns about secondary ticketing market — [andrew rosindell in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I urge the Government to consult on strengthening protections against secondary ticketing platforms, including the possibility of fines or website removals for persistent exploitation of fans. The consultation should aim to enhance consumer protection, ensure fair access to tickets, and mitigate current issues in the market.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
I am concerned about the impact of secondary ticketing platforms on consumers, which often leads to inflated resale prices and pricing out genuine fans from events. Research shows that over two-thirds of resale tickets for festivals and outdoor events are being offered by just three traders who seek to profit by almost £1 million. Additionally, practices such as ticket harvesting and surge pricing create a precarious environment for consumers and exacerbate the problem.
Knowsley
The speaker highlighted issues related to dynamic ticket pricing and queuing systems for major concerts, citing personal experiences. She expressed concerns about fans being exploited by inflated prices and the lack of transparency in surge pricing, affecting both artists and audiences. The speaker also mentioned the impact of secondary market ticket sales and called for more action on speculative selling as recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority.
Jack Abbott
Lab Co-op
Ipswich
Mr Abbott highlighted the issue of ticket touting, emphasizing that it leads to fans being priced out of live music events and impacts grassroots venues. He mentioned that his constituency's music scene includes The Smokehouse, which faced closure due to financial pressures during the pandemic but was saved by local crowdfunding and grants. Research shows two grassroots music venues close every week, raising concerns about future talent development. Mr Abbott called for community-owned assets to keep profits local and reinvest in projects, training young people in various aspects of live events management.
Jo Platt
Lab Co-op
Leigh and Atherton
Ms Platt highlighted the barriers to accessing cultural experiences due to soaring ticket prices, particularly in her constituency. She praised the work of Leigh Film Society for offering affordable film screenings and stressed the importance of supporting grassroots venues that foster creativity and community engagement.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Mr Evans discussed the importance of separating secondary ticketing from dynamic ticket pricing, noting that the latter can provide benefits but must be used responsibly. He highlighted issues such as price gouging, hidden costs, and a lack of transparency, citing an example where a £250 face value ticket was marked up to £5,167 on Viagogo. Evans questioned the Government's consultation timeline and scope, and called for an analysis of foreign legislation to inform policy. He expressed support for the debate, saying 'hear, hear!', and asked if the Minister would give way. He then mentioned that Ed Sheeran has gone above and beyond by cancelling tickets when they had been resold.
Marie Goldman
Lib Dem
Chelmsford
Ms. Goldman shared her personal experience of buying duplicate concert tickets and highlighted the ongoing issue with secondary ticketing, noting that technology has made it worse for consumers due to bots scraping up tickets. She criticised both primary and secondary platforms for not being transparent and using tactics that drive up prices, affecting various sectors including sports and cultural events. She also mentioned Operation Podium during the 2012 Olympics, which uncovered organised crime networks profiting from ticket reselling.
Max Wilkinson
Lib Dem
Cheltenham
Mr Wilkinson highlighted the frustration and sense of unfairness faced by fans who are priced out of events due to ticket touts. He cited an estimated £1 billion annual worth for the UK's secondary ticketing market in 2019, where tickets are often sold at inflated prices after being harvested from primary markets. He also noted that about half of Britons have been priced out of attending desired events.
Sharon Hodgson
Lab
Washington and Gateshead South
She outlined the history of efforts to regulate the secondary ticketing market, noting previous failures with legislation like the Consumer Rights Act 2015. She cited research estimating that touts cost British music fans £145 million annually due to reselling tickets through non-compliant sites like Viagogo and GetMeIn. Sharon emphasised the need for stronger laws, better funding for National Trading Standards, and the importance of capping resale prices at face value plus 10% to prevent fraud and protect genuine fans. The hon. Member intervened to point out that when fans are forced to pay inflated prices, they lose opportunities to attend multiple concerts or sporting events due to budget constraints for the year. Ms Hodgson intervened to challenge the notion that dynamic pricing could lead to lower ticket prices. She cited experts from the all-party parliamentary group on ticket abuse who noted that prices never go down in practice, only up. She highlighted the efforts of musicians like Ed Sheeran, Iron Maiden, Arctic Monkeys, Mumford & Sons, and others in trying to tackle ticket touting. She noted that while other artists have tried, Ed Sheeran has been particularly proactive by cancelling resold tickets.
Government Response
Chris Bryant
Government Response
It is a great delight to see you in your seat, Mr Rosindell. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Cramlington and Killingworth on securing this debate. The Minister acknowledges the frustration of few prosecutions under current legislation due to limited resources for local authorities and trading standards over the past 14 years. The Government is committed to bringing forward new laws but must ensure enforcement capabilities are in place, consulting on how to implement them effectively. My hon. Friend's issue is not at the top of the list but is part of a wider strategy to benefit fans and the local economy. Issues include shocking price increases such as £1,506 for Olivia Rodrigo tickets with a face value of £200, or £889 for England versus South Africa rugby tickets with a face value of £145 on Viagogo, indicative of racketeering based on fundamental unfairness. We need to ensure the money goes back into creative industries and local economies rather than disappearing into black holes. The Government will launch a consultation soon on how to frame legislation effectively, focusing on transparency, genuine equality at the initial ticket purchase stage, and addressing excessive price increases in secondary markets. Dynamic pricing practices must be open and legitimate, avoiding banning beneficial early-bird tickets. We are committed to change coming for platforms like Gigsberg, Viagogo, StubHub, Ticketmaster, ensuring fair play in the market.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.