Can Starmer’s Price Controls Revive Britain?

Keir Starmer's push to cap concert ticket prices signals a broader mission: tackling Britain's cost-of-living crisis, from housing affordability to everyday expenses, aiming for real change.

In his recent PMQs session, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took the stage with an initiative that is not just a hit among music fans but could herald the start of a much-needed era of reform in the UK. “It’s great that OSS are back together,” Starmer quipped, referencing the return of a beloved band that has the nation buzzing. But his enthusiasm quickly turned to a pressing issue: the extortionate ticket prices fans face.

“I’m committed to putting fans at the heart of music and ending extortionate price resales. We're starting a consultation to work out how best we can do this.”

For many, this isn’t just about concert tickets; it’s a sign of Starmer’s broader mission to stand up for ordinary Britons. The Labour leader is setting his sights on issues that have plagued the country for decades: runaway housing costs, inflation that eats away at paychecks, and an economy that increasingly leaves the average worker behind. If his pledge to tackle ticket prices is any indication, Starmer may be gearing up to take on a much larger beast: the UK’s housing crisis.

The High Cost of Living: Starmer's Next Battlefield?

The housing market has long been a minefield of soaring prices and dwindling opportunities, where the average homebuyer is left on the sidelines, priced out by investors and landlords. The Guardian’s 2021 exposé on the UK’s housing crisis laid bare a grim reality: “Buying a house is off-limits to many thanks to rising rents, pay freezes, and a lack of affordable homes.” It’s a situation that has only worsened, leaving many Britons feeling like they’re on a treadmill going nowhere.

Starmer’s Labour Party has already set the tone with its commitments to scrapping the Tory government’s controversial Rwanda scheme and taking a firmer stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza. But perhaps Starmer’s most ambitious move would be to regulate the housing market with the same vigor he now aims at the music industry. It’s no secret that Britain’s housing woes are deeply entrenched. Since the 1970s, policies like Thatcher’s Right to Buy have decimated social housing, while deregulation in the 80s and 90s turned the property market into a free-for-all. By 2019, the percentage of homes provided by councils had plummeted to a mere 7%, leaving the average Briton to grapple with skyrocketing rents and the near-impossibility of owning a home.

The Housing Crisis: A Legacy of Neglect and Exploitation

As The Guardian detailed, “In some parts of the country, low-deposit mortgages are no help, because would-be homeowners cannot afford the monthly repayments on the mortgages they will need.” High private rents only compound the problem, consuming a disproportionate share of income and making it nearly impossible for renters to save for a down payment. With average salaries hovering around £35,000 per year, Britons are struggling to cover basic living expenses, let alone entertain the notion of home ownership in a market where the average house price exceeds £250,000.

Starmer’s Labour is no stranger to these challenges, and now, they have a clear opportunity to take action. A price cap on homes and rental prices could be the bold stroke needed to pull the UK back from the brink of a full-blown affordability crisis. As the Guardian’s history of the housing crisis shows, the market has been distorted by decades of government missteps—from the proliferation of buy-to-let mortgages in the 90s to the 2008 financial crash, which left many homeowners in negative equity. “High rents make it hard to save enough for mortgages that would cost less each month,” The Guardian reported, highlighting the vicious cycle that traps millions in a state of perpetual financial insecurity.

A Vision for Change: From Price Caps to National Wellbeing

Starmer’s pledge to curb concert ticket prices is more than a nod to disgruntled fans; it’s a symbolic stand against the broader exploitation that has crept into every corner of British life. As Anne Applebaum might argue, the key to reversing Britain’s decline isn’t merely tinkering at the edges but overhauling the systems that drive inequality. Regulating housing and food prices could have a ripple effect, boosting national morale and productivity by alleviating the constant financial strain that weighs on the average Briton’s mind.

Imagine a Britain where affordable housing isn’t a pipe dream but a cornerstone of national policy. Where the average person isn’t crippled by the anxiety of meeting mortgage payments or being one missed paycheck away from losing their home. In a nation where the majority of income is eaten up by taxes, rent, food, and basic necessities, there is little room for the creativity and joy that fuel societal progress. As Starmer takes steps to protect fans from predatory pricing, the logical next step is to expand that protection to every facet of British life.

What’s Next, PM? The Fight Must Go On

The real question is: What’s next for Keir Starmer? If he’s serious about bringing Britain back to life, the music ticket consultation must be just the beginning. A price cap on housing, coupled with broader economic reforms, could mark the dawn of a new era where the government actively shields its citizens from market excesses. The Labour Party has a moral and political obligation to tackle these issues head-on, challenging decades of neoliberal policies that have left the country divided and disenfranchised.

As Starmer stands poised to make these changes, he should heed the Guardian’s call: “Putting things right will not be simple, but there are things that can be done to improve the situation.” This is his moment to rise above political platitudes and deliver tangible results that resonate with the heart of the nation. For many, a house isn’t just a building; it’s the foundation of a life. By tackling the root causes of Britain’s housing crisis and putting people before profit, Starmer has the chance to turn his premiership into a movement that brings not just homes, but hope, back to Britain.

Let’s see if he seizes it.