Famous singer Ed Sheeran has written a letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and government officials, asking them to provide long-term funding for music education. He is joined by many music artists, including Harry Styles and Central Cee, in calling for £250 million to help schools, teachers, and young musicians.
This comes after Sheeran launched the Ed Sheeran Foundation in January, which aims to make music education available to all children, especially in areas where it is difficult to access. The foundation focuses on five key areas: funding for school music programs, training for teachers, financial support for small music venues, music apprenticeships, and a more diverse music curriculum.
Sheeran and other artists believe that music education is being ignored by the government and needs attention from different departments, including Culture, Education, Health, and Business. Their letter, which already has over 500 signatures, asks for a cross-departmental task force to ensure proper support for music education.
At the BRIT Awards last month, artists Myles Smith and Ezra Collective also spoke about the struggles of grassroots music and the need for better funding. The UK music industry adds £7.6 billion to the economy every year, making it a vital part of the country.
Ed Sheeran’s Message
Sheeran shared why this cause is important to him:
“Music gave me purpose when I was in school. It helped my mental health, brought me joy, and made my career possible. But right now, young people with talent and passion don’t have the support they need. We are losing time, and we need real funding to go directly to schools and communities.”
About the Ed Sheeran Foundation
The Ed Sheeran Foundation is dedicated to helping schools and music organizations across the UK, especially in areas where music education is lacking. Since its launch, the foundation has already supported 18 music programs, reaching over 12,000 children and young people. Sheeran has also visited schools and youth programs in Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, and Belfast to see the impact of music education firsthand.
With this initiative, Sheeran hopes to protect and grow music education for future generations.