Ed Sheeran leads £250m music education funding push

Why it matters: The music industry brings in £7.6 billion to the UK economy annually, yet Sheeran warns the "next generation is not there to take the reins", with state schools seeing a 21% decrease in music provision.

The Suffolk superstar's letter appeals directly to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other cabinet ministers, requesting £250 million for music education initiatives across the UK.

The big picture: The campaign follows the January launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, which has already supported 18 grassroots music education organisations and state school music departments, impacting over 12,000 children.

By the numbers:

• Over 500 signatures from artists, industry figures, educators and more

• £250m requested for music education package

• 21% decrease in music provision in state schools

• Last year marked the first in over 20 years without a UK global top-10 single or album

The details: The open letter outlines five key areas requiring support:

1. Funding music in schools, including a Music & Arts Pupil Premium

2. Training 1,000 new music teachers to address a 56% fall in recruitment

3. UK-wide funding for grassroots music venues, with 25% currently considering closure

4. Launching 500 music apprenticeships, addressing the 0.5% of apprenticeships in creative sectors

5. Diversifying the curriculum through an industry and teacher task force

What they're saying: "Learning an instrument and getting up on stage – whether in school or a community club – is now a luxury not every child can afford," writes Sheeran in the letter.

Joe Bailey, CEO at Brighten The Corners, which operates three full-time music venues in Ipswich, said: "We fully back Ed Sheeran's call for a rethink and change at the highest level. For such a huge global industry, the UK music curriculum in schools has no tangible links to the real world and doesn't represent how music has evolved, especially over the last 30-40 years. The curriculum is archaic, and young people are getting put off studying music by the end of years 7 and 8 and chose so early in their lives not to pursue music."

The bottom line: As Britain's music education faces what campaigners describe as a crisis point, Sheeran's foundation and letter represent a coordinated effort to secure cross-departmental government support for a sector that develops both cultural and economic value.