Ticket touts clampdown promised by Lib Dems as Taylor Swift Wembley shows resell for £7,000

"Swift action" needs to be taken to combat touts cashing in by reselling concert and football match tickets, the Liberal Democrats said on Friday.

As Taylor Swift’s Eras tour comes to Wembley, the party announced proposals to end reselling websites mass-buying tickets to flog at hugely inflated prices.

Entry to the American singer's London performances are listed on online marketplaces for more than £7,000 - 46 times the face value.

The Lib Dems said the party would implement the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) recommendations to crack down on illegal resales and make websites strictly liable for incorrect information about tickets listed on their websites.

Resale platforms would also require a licence to operate in the UK under the plans.

Richmond Park MP Sarah Olney said: “The Conservatives have left a blank space for rip off ticket touts to exploit thousands of people every year.

“Many fans across the country will have bad blood with resale websites taking advantage of major sports and cultural events to rake in millions. Real fans are often priced out of the market following exorbitant rises in ticket prices.

“We will end the gold rush for ticket touts. The Liberal Democrats will take swift action to protect fans from a cruel summer of disappointment.”

The UK’s secondary ticketing market is worth an estimated £1billion a year, with the blackmarket of Premier League touting alone raking in more than £50milion annually.

Under current rules, football tickets cannot be resold unless it is approved by the match organisers.

Otherwise there is no law against reselling tickets - although individual organisations may prohibit it.

The Department for Business and Trade last year decided against implementing CMA recommendations to crack down on professional touts, including the block the bulk buying of tickets.

Labour has previously pledged to cap the resale prices of tickets and regulate websites if the party wins the July 4 general election.

The plans will see a clamp down on ticket touts who rip off music and sports fans going to live events, Sir Keir Starmer has said.