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23/03/2011
MP Sparks Move Against Ticket Touting
A Labour MP has sparked a campaign that could see a cap placed on the resale of tickets to music and sporting events.
Labour's Sharon Hodgson has proposed anyone reselling their tickets should be limited to placing only a maximum of 10% onto the original price they paid.
The move could have major repercussions for professional ticket touts who currently exploit an unregulated industry by selling tickets well above their original cost.
The idea has already been welcomed by the V-Festival organizer Melvin Benn, who called the idea "fantastic" just as the tickets for his festival went on sale in recent days.
Speaking on Wendesday, Ms Hodgson said: "Tickets to V were sold out through the official channels within minutes - I even heard from someone that they were told tickets were sold out 1 minute after they went on sale. Yet within hours there were hundreds of listings on eBay and other sites, with a minimum mark-up of £100 a ticket - completely unfair to the genuine fans who wanted to go.
"It is clear that the Government acknowledges that criminals are behind a lot of the touting that goes on, so I can't understand why Ministers still refuse to support my attempts to prevent them making large wads of cash by ripping off people who want to go see their favourite band."
Ms Hodgson added that she had received messages of support from around the country and that the policy was something genuine fans cared a lot about.
Resale of tickets to the 2012 games is illegal, with the Government last week announcing its intention to increase the fine for anyone caught touting tickets from £5,000 to £20,000.
The MP also issued a warning against scammers and touts buying up tickets to the Olympic games taking place in London next year.
Resale of tickets to the 2012 games is illegal, with the Government last week announcing its intention to increase the fine for anyone caught touting tickets from £5,000 to £20,000. If a ticket holder cannot attend the event for which they have tickets, there will be an official ticket exchange where they can be sold to other fans at face value.
(DW/KMcA)
Labour's Sharon Hodgson has proposed anyone reselling their tickets should be limited to placing only a maximum of 10% onto the original price they paid.
The move could have major repercussions for professional ticket touts who currently exploit an unregulated industry by selling tickets well above their original cost.
The idea has already been welcomed by the V-Festival organizer Melvin Benn, who called the idea "fantastic" just as the tickets for his festival went on sale in recent days.
Speaking on Wendesday, Ms Hodgson said: "Tickets to V were sold out through the official channels within minutes - I even heard from someone that they were told tickets were sold out 1 minute after they went on sale. Yet within hours there were hundreds of listings on eBay and other sites, with a minimum mark-up of £100 a ticket - completely unfair to the genuine fans who wanted to go.
"It is clear that the Government acknowledges that criminals are behind a lot of the touting that goes on, so I can't understand why Ministers still refuse to support my attempts to prevent them making large wads of cash by ripping off people who want to go see their favourite band."
Ms Hodgson added that she had received messages of support from around the country and that the policy was something genuine fans cared a lot about.
Resale of tickets to the 2012 games is illegal, with the Government last week announcing its intention to increase the fine for anyone caught touting tickets from £5,000 to £20,000.
The MP also issued a warning against scammers and touts buying up tickets to the Olympic games taking place in London next year.
Resale of tickets to the 2012 games is illegal, with the Government last week announcing its intention to increase the fine for anyone caught touting tickets from £5,000 to £20,000. If a ticket holder cannot attend the event for which they have tickets, there will be an official ticket exchange where they can be sold to other fans at face value.
(DW/KMcA)
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