Ed Sheeran: Singer calls for more money for music education

BBC News

24-03-2025

Ed Sheeran has written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer asking for more money to support music education in schools.As part of the Ed Sheeran Foundation's Protect & Grow Music Education letter, the popstar says that "music in and out of school should be for all, not a few".Ed Sheeran is asking the government to create funding for music in the same way that sport is funded in schools, as well as training more music teachers and supporting music youth groups outside the classroom.A government spokesperson has said in response: "We are committed to ensuring art, music and drama are no longer the preserve of a privileged few."We are also expanding the Creative Careers Programme to £3 million over the next financial year, to help provide even more schoolchildren with information, advice and guidance on creative career routes."
The Ed Sheeran Foundation was launched by the Shape of You singer at the start of this year to campaign for music education. In an open letter to the government, Ed Sheeran called for £250m of funding for teaching music and supporting pupils' creative ambitions, which he says is needed "to repair decades of dismantling music"."Learning an instrument and getting up on stage – whether in school or a community club – is now a luxury not every child can afford," the letter said.It comes after musicians Ezra Collective spoke about how it's important to support children learning music at this year's Brit Awards.
Speaking to Newsround, Femi from Ezra Collective said that he's worried that not all children may get a chance to play an instrument and be creative.The musician said: "Our dream is that every school in the country has access to a full band's worth of equipment, so that every single Ezra Collective that is in any school in the country can get their chance eventually."Last year, Newsround spoke to music charity Young Sounds UK, whose work includes giving free instruments and lessons to children who may not be able to access music education.Programme Director Neil Phillips said: "We all love music, so if we don't have music education, then we're not going to have musicians coming through and creating that amazing music we want to listen to."
The government has said that it is working hard to ensure "high and rising standards" in music.A government spokesperson said: "To help achieve this, our Curriculum and Assessment Review will seek to deliver a broader curriculum."Our new National Centre for Music and Arts Education will promote opportunities for children and young people to pursue their artistic and creative interests in school."