Ed Sheeran backs call for music education funding
The English singer is fighting for music education in schools.
Ed Sheeran is thinking out loud with his latest request to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
He has written an open letter to the minister and the UK government calling for action to save music education in state schools.
"We are at a critical point: a future of no music in state schools, no music teachers to teach, broken instruments and no grassroots venues," the 34-year-old said.
The Ed Sheeran Foundation, which supports music education in the UK, has urged officials to commit to a £250 million (R5,8 billion) package to "repair decades of dismantling music".
"As a young music student and aspiring artist, I benefited from opportunities in and out of school to learn and grow. Unfortunately, after decades of defunding and de-prioritising, music is no longer a right for all children – it’s a luxury for only a few," Sheeran wrote.
The 'Thinking Out Loud' hitmaker says music benefits mental health and young people’s dreams.
"Talent is everywhere across the UK – I saw it when I visited cities across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. But not all young people have the same opportunities – and we want to change that."
Sheeran also notes in his letter that music is key to the UK economy.
"As an industry, we bring in £7.6 billion into the UK economy, yet the next generation is not there to take the reins. Last year was the first in over 20 years without a UK global top 10 single or album in the charts."
He also included a quote from Myles Smith and Ezra Collective's speech at the 2025 BRIT Awards.
“How many more venues need to close, how many music programs need to be cut before we realise that we can’t just celebrate success, we have to protect the foundations that make it?
“This moment right here is because of the great youth clubs, and the great teachers and the great schools that support young people playing music.”
Several of Sheeran's famous music colleagues, including Elton John, Coldplay, Stormzy and Harry Styles, have backed his open letter.
Read Sheeran's full letter on his foundation's website.
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