In an open letter, Ed Sheeran – backed by a host of music industry voices including Harry Styles, Elton John, Annie Lennox, Stormzy, Central Cee, Coldplay, Dave, Paloma Faith and more – has appealed to the UK government to commit £250 million pounds of funding towards music education.
To provide much needed support and focus across the sector, to protect and grow music education, Ed 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 apprenticeship
* A diverse music curriculum
Addressing the Prime Minister, as well as the departments of Culture, Education, Foreign Office, Health and Social Care and Business and Trade, Sheeran and other music industry voices believe a cross-departmental taskforce 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.
Today’s (Sunday 23rd March 2025) 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 has already supported 18 grassroots music education organisations and state school music departments, impacting more than 12,000 children and young people.
For more information:
Ed Sheeran live photo by Jason Sheldon
Ed Sheeran & children photo: Courtesy of The Ed Sheeran Foundation
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