Dr Rupa Huq

Dr Rupa Huq

Labour — Ealing Central and Acton

Speaking in the House of Commons on 9 September 2026

Debate

Ticket Price Regulation: Live Events

Contribution

We know that the UK music industry is a major player in our national economy, but £145 million a year is being lost to touts in a cost of living crisis. These touts are not the old-fashioned man in a flasher mac with tickets in his pockets, saying, “Oi, do you want a ticket?” Online bots are now touting in a sophisticated way. As Lord Brennan—the artist formerly known as Kevin—says so wisely in his fan-led review: “everyone’s life is enriched when they gather with others to enjoy live music.” It should not be unobtainable or out of reach because of profiteering by the opportunistic. There are two issues here: rip-off resale and dynamic pricing. With rip-off resale, minutes after gigs sell out, resale tickets appear on sale online for thousands of pounds. All arts ought to be accessible to everyone, so that real fans can get tickets—tickets should not be being hoovered up by these bots.

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