Ed Sheeran has called on the UK government to invest in music education now in an impassioned open letter to Sir Keir Starmer. Along with over 600 other famous music industry personnel, including Stormzy, Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, and Harry Styles, Sheeran is making a genuine call for £250 million spending on music education this spring to assist in re-establishing what they view as a critical element of the nation’s cultural and educational life.
In the letter, Sheeran points out the worrying trend of music education taking a backseat in UK schools, especially state schools, which teach the majority of children in the nation. He noted that music provision has taken a severe nose-dive with a drop of 21% in music education availability in state schools. “Now is the time to act,” Sheeran emphasized, calling on the government to act quickly to save and enhance music education. “Learning an instrument and performing on stage – in school or a community club – is now a luxury that not every child can afford,” he went on.
Even though the UK music industry contributes a whopping £7.6bn to the economy, Sheeran expressed fears for the future of the industry. He said, “As an industry, we contribute £7.6bn to the UK economy, but the next generation is not there to take over.” His words are a stark reminder of how important it is that the younger generation is fostered and provided with opportunities in music, not only as a means of cultural expression, but as a viable career option that is a significant contributor to the economy.
Sheeran’s plea comes at a time of seismic shift in the UK music landscape. Following the record-breaking year for British music in 2017, with Sheeran’s album Divide being the world’s biggest-selling album, the UK has declined sharply on the global music stage. The absence of UK acts from the top 10 globally on singles or albums last year was a clear wake-up call to the sector. Sheeran’s letter, therefore, is a call to action, urging government leaders to act and protect the arts and education to ensure the future of music in the UK.
The letter is also a personal appeal to Sir Keir Starmer, as Sheeran had mentioned a recent report that outlined the damaging impacts of the decline in music education. We are signing collectively as industry, civil society and artists calling on your individual commitment to music and the possibility for everyone to enjoy it through Labour,” Sheeran stated. Alongside the funding for music in schools, the letter also calls upon the government to invest in other priority areas like the training of music teachers, grass-roots music venue funding, and more music apprenticeships.
The letter also received backing from several high-profile musicians, including rap musicians Stormzy, Dave, and Central Cee, pop group Coldplay, and singer Annie Lennox. These musicians have come together to call for a re-investment in the music talent pipeline that has brought so many world-leading stars. The message is blunt: that success for UK artists on the global stage cannot be continued without adequate backup for music education at home.
The letter also pays tribute to efforts by culture secretary Lisa Nandy, who has championed music education in the UK and underlined the Ipswich model of music education that Sheeran is from. She declared, “That is a model that we would like to copy across the nation.” This was also expressed by Sheeran, who cited Nandy’s 10-point plan for the music industry, which prioritizes developing young talent from a young age and having routes for students to take into the music industry. “Artists and industry can’t represent the UK on the world stage without schools, youth clubs and stages at home,” Sheeran contended.
Aside from his open letter, Sheeran has also established the Ed Sheeran Foundation, which aims to promote music education and offer inclusive, high-quality music opportunities to young people. The plan seeks to remedy the increasing chasm in musical access to learning, allowing youngsters of all origins to be able to follow up on their passion for music. The aims and objectives of the foundation are such that they fully align with Sheeran’s stated aims as detailed in the letter, ranging from improving financial provision for schools and teacher training for music tutors through to preserving and enhancing low-level music establishments.
Sheeran’s background of charity engagement, especially involving music education, is long and established. He has long supported numerous music programs and foundations, such as the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation (ESSMF), which he founded to give young people in his hometown of Framlingham access to music education. His gift to his alma mater, Thomas Mills High School and Sixth Form, is also a testament to his dedication to making sure that future generations have access to the opportunities that contributed to his own professional development.
In order to ensure that future generations of musicians are nurtured and encouraged, it is essential that we all join forces to raise £250 million for music education. It is imperative that the future generation of people possesses the means and opportunity to continue the tradition of an industry that has earned the UK so much international recognition. The UK risks losing its position of being a global leader in the music industry if it does not invest in such a way. Backed by other influential personalities in the music world, Sheeran’s letter is a timely reminder that the future of music in the UK depends on the investment made in the country’s young talented individuals.