Updated March 23rd 2025, 16:42 IST The group argues that music, an industry worth £7.6 billion to the UK economy, requires urgent support. New Delhi: English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, along with over 600 prominent artists, penned an open letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the government, urging for immediate, long-term funding for music education in the country.
The letter calls for a £250 million investment into the UK music education system. Sheeran, a globally recognized artist and one of the UK’s most successful music exports, is joined by figures such as Harry Styles, Elton John, Stormzy, Robert Plant, and Eric Clapton in this crucial appeal. The group argues that music, an industry worth £7.
6 billion to the UK economy, requires urgent support to ensure future generations can continue to contribute to this vibrant sector. “As an industry, we bring in £7.6bn into the UK economy, yet the next generation is not there to take the reins,” Sheeran said in the letter.
He stressed that learning an instrument and getting involved in live performances has become a privilege, one not every child can afford. “Learning an instrument and getting up on stage – whether in school or a community club – is now a luxury not every child can afford,” he added. The Steep Decline in Music Provision The letter shows the steep decline in music provision in state schools, which educate 93% of the UK’s children.
According to Sheeran, there has been a 21% decrease i.
