Ed Sheeran has spearheaded a powerful campaign calling on the U.K. government to commit £250 million ($322 million) to music education, backed by an impressive coalition of British music icons including Harry Styles, Elton John, and Central Cee.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and government officials, Sheeran and fellow artists highlighted how the music industry contributes £7.6 billion annually to the U.K. economy while warning that future generations lack adequate support to enter the field.
Through his newly established Ed Sheeran Foundation, the chart-topping artist outlined five key areas requiring immediate attention:
- Funding for school music programs on par with sports initiatives
- Training for 1,000 new music teachers to address recruitment shortages
- Creating an industry-informed curriculum guided by teachers and professionals
- Supporting grassroots venues and youth music spaces nationwide
- Developing music apprenticeships and industry readiness programs
"When I was at school, music gave me purpose, it helped with my mental health, it bought me and many others joy, and it gave me my career," Sheeran stated. "Music education has fallen through the gaps. That's why I'm tasking government to correct the mistakes of its past."
The initiative has garnered support from across the British music spectrum, with signatures from Coldplay, Stormzy, Annie Lennox, Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, and numerous other influential artists.
The campaign emerges following recent concerns raised at the BRIT Awards about declining grassroots venues and diminishing music education opportunities. The collective effort aims to revitalize music education and create sustainable pathways for aspiring musicians across the United Kingdom.