Ed Sheeran Pens Open Letter to Keir Starmer for Music Education

Ed Sheeran has written to UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and UK government officials, calling for immediate, long-term funding for UK music education. This follows on from the launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation in January – a nationwide initiative aimed at providing inclusive, high-quality music education.

In an open letter, Sheeran – alongside a host of music industry voices including Harry Styles and Central Cee – has appealed to the UK government to commit £250 million of funding towards music education, which would provide much-needed support and focus across the sector. To protect and grow music education, Sheeran is campaigning for five key areas of growth as part of his newly-launched Ed Sheeran Foundation: music funding in schools, training for music teachers, funding for grassroots venues/spaces, music apprenticeships, and a diverse music curriculum.

Addressing the Prime Minister as well as the departments of Culture, Education, Foreign Office, Health & Social Care and Business & Trade, Sheeran and other music industry voices believe a cross-departmental task force will provide the vital attention, focus and funding music education requires, and that these responsibilities sit across government as to ensure music education doesn’t continue to fall through the cracks.

Sheeran’s letter, which unites voices across the artist community, music industry and civil society, has already surpassed 500 signatures. It follows on from two poignant speeches at last month’s BRIT Awards, where Myles Smith and Ezra Collective urged the UK government to address the demise of grassroots venues, music funding, and music education.

The music industry brings in £7.6 billion to the UK economy each year.

The Ed Sheeran Foundation is dedicated to supporting music education in state schools and grassroots organisations across the UK, particularly in areas where it is less accessible. By promoting inclusivity and fostering high-quality music education, the foundation aims to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to explore their potential through music.

Sheeran marked the foundation’s launch by visiting young people, teachers, and youth workers in Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh and Belfast. The foundation itself has already supported 18 grassroots music education organisations and state school music departments, impacting over 12,000 children and young people.

You can download and read Sheeran’s letter right here.