Musician Ed Sheeran executes a concert at an antiquated school, following his request for £250 million towards music education, which he addressed to Keir Starmer.
In a bold move to address the decline in music education in the UK, singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has joined forces with other leading artists and industry figures to call for a significant investment. The open letter, which can be read here, urges Prime Minister Keir Starmer to invest £250 million in music education.
The campaign aims to counteract the 21% decrease in music provision in state schools, which educate 93% of the country's children. This decline is concerning given the music industry's substantial economic contribution to the UK, amounting to £7.6 billion annually and supporting over 216,000 jobs.
Sheeran's campaign is not just about money; it's about making music education more accessible to all, especially disadvantaged pupils. By doing so, the campaign could help bridge the gap in music provision and ensure that creative opportunities are not limited to a privileged few.
The Ed Sheeran Foundation, launched in January 2025, is a key part of this initiative. The foundation aims to support music education in state schools and grassroots youth organizations across the UK, as well as initiatives like apprenticeships and music production.
Sheeran has been actively involved in fundraising activities, such as selling his "Cosmic Carpark Paintings" to raise money for the Ed Sheeran Foundation and support music education.
The campaign also proposes fair and industry-fit music apprenticeships, with a goal of launching 500 music apprenticeships UK-wide, including new festival apprenticeships and industry readiness support for at-risk youth. The letter also suggests the training of 1,000 music teachers to end the 56% fall in recruitment, stopping the closures of University music departments, and launching a UK-wide fund for grassroots music collaboration.
The open letter has gained widespread support from across the music industry, including artists, educators, and cultural organisations. The event, hosted by Britten Pears Arts at Snape Maltings Concert Hall, marked the 45th anniversary of the school's music legacy, with Ed Sheeran making a surprise appearance at a gala concert at Thomas Mills High School in Suffolk, where he credited the long-serving Director of Music, Richard Hanley, as pivotal in encouraging him to pursue his dream.
The government has shown commitment to improving music education, such as investing in music teachers and specific programs for disadvantaged pupils. However, the call for a £250 million investment remains a significant point of discussion. The letter also emphasizes the removal of the Ebacc, and including music in the Ofsted report card in England, and proposes funding music in schools like sport, and a Music & Arts Pupil Premium for schools and an additional £32m for Music Hubs each year.
By nurturing the next generation of musicians and music industry professionals, the campaign could help sustain the economic benefits of the music industry. Moreover, supporting music education can enhance the cultural richness of the UK by fostering creativity, diversity, and talent development across various music genres.
- The Ed Sheeran-led campaign for music education is not only focused on monetary investment, but also seeks to make music education more accessible for all, especially disadvantaged pupils, as a means of personal growth and self-development.
- This initiative, which includes proposals for fair music apprenticeships and support for grassroots youth organizations, aims to counteract the decline in music provision in state schools, ultimately contributing to the entertainment industry and promoting cultural richness in the UK.
- By investing £250 million in music education as proposed by the campaign, the UK government could foster the next generation of musicians and music industry professionals, ensuring creativity, diversity, and talent development across various music genres, while also maintaining the substantial economic contribution of the music industry.