Ed Shiran’s Call for Musical Education Funding
Ed Shiran has penned an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and government officials in Great Britain, urging for immediate long-term financial support for musical education in the UK.
Signatories from the Music Industry
This letter has garnered more than 500 signatures from across the music industry, including notable figures such as Harry Styles, Central Cee, Coldplay, Stormzy, and Elton John. It advocates for a funding amount of 250 million pounds to enhance musical education nationwide.
Following the launch of the Ed Shiran Foundation in January 2025, the initiative focuses on five key areas: funding music in schools, training for music teachers, financing musical venues, providing music education, and developing a range of music programs.
“I founded the Ed Shiran Fund because I believe in the significance of music and the importance of making musical education accessible to everyone. During my school days, music provided me with a sense of purpose, improved my mental health, and brought me immense joy, ultimately shaping my career,” Shiran states.
“In recent months, I have had the privilege of meeting, speaking with, and listening to numerous young children and teachers throughout Great Britain, and it is clear that musical education is in distress. So many talented individuals have passions, yet they lack the support to achieve their dreams in the music industry, which is why I felt compelled to write this letter on their behalf.”
Since its launch at the start of 2025, the Ed Shiran Foundation has already supported 18 prominent musical organizations and school music administrations, reaching over 12,000 children and youth. The Fund marked its beginning with visits to young people, teachers, and youth workers in Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, and Belfast.
The music industry contributes 7.6 billion pounds annually to the UK economy. The open letter addresses several government departments, including those of culture, education, foreign affairs, health, social security, as well as business and trade, calling for targeted attention and funding for musical education.
The letter states:
Dear Sir Keir Starmer,
We collectively write as artists, civil society, and industry, appealing to your personal belief in music and the promise of opportunity for everyone under Labour.
Engaging with music and taking to the stage—whether in a school or a public venue—is now a luxury that not every child can afford.
As an industry, we inject 7.6 billion pounds into the UK economy, but the next generation should not bear the burden of governmental negligence. Last year marked the first time in over 20 years without a British top 10 album in the charts. Myles Smith and Ezra Collective articulated it well at the 2025 Brit Awards:
“How many more venues need to close, how many music programs need to be cut, before we recognize that we cannot just celebrate success, we must safeguard the foundations that nurture it?” – Miles Smith. “At this moment, in these incredible youth clubs, great teachers and exemplary schools supporting young musicians,” – Ezra Collective.
It is time to act. State schools, which educate 93% of the country’s children, have seen a 21% drop in music education.
We welcome the January 16, 2025, announcement of a 10-point plan for music raised in the House of Commons. Bridget, David, Jonathan, and Wessa, we need you to advocate for musical education. Artists and the industry cannot flourish in the UK without schools, youth clubs, and stages offering a platform.
Together, we are calling for a substantial British music education fund of 250 million pounds to remedy decades of neglect. Musical education encompasses multiple departments: culture, education, foreign affairs, healthcare, social security, and business and trade.
Music in schools and beyond should be accessible to all, not just a select few.
We are united in five key battles to protect and expand musical education, and here is what we need:
Music funding in schools, similar to sports.
Establish a music and arts student grant for schools (the Sports Premium currently stands at 324 million pounds); This fund should provide an additional 32 million pounds annually for music hubs.
Fill the gaps, train musicians as music teachers.
Urgently recruit 1,000 music teachers to address the 56% decline in workforce; halt the closure of university music departments, such as the one at Cardiff University.
Establish a state-backed initiative for mass musical collaboration.
One-quarter of youth music spaces are considering closure, and over two-thirds can only survive in the short term.
Launch a fair and equitable music training industry.
Presently, only 0.5% of students enter the creative sector; Initiate 500 Music Pre-apprenticeships in the UK, along with a new youth festival and support for those at risk in the industry.
Diversify the curriculum to include industry voices.
Create a specialized focus group comprising teachers and industry professionals to broaden the curriculum; abolish the EBACC and ensure music is part of the OFSTED assessment criteria in England.
We recognize the pressures at play. As artists, civil society, and the music industry, we want to contribute to the solution.
We look forward to your prompt response.
Yours sincerely,
Ed Shiran
