Suffolk pop star Ed Sheeran calls for immediate music education funding with letter backed by musicians Coldplay, Harry Styles, Sir Elton John and more

Suffolk pop star sensation Ed Sheeran has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for immediate, long-term funding for UK music education.

Sheeran’s letter has been signed by Love Actually director Richard Curtis, musicians Coldplay, Annie Lennox, Harry Styles, Sir Elton John, Paloma Faith, Robert Plant, Fred Again, Eric Clapton, and also rappers Dave, Stormzy and Central Cee.

In January, the Framlingham-based singer-songwriter launched the Ed Sheeran Foundation – an initiative aimed at providing inclusive, high-quality music education.

In an open letter, Sheeran has appealed to the UK government to commit £250 million of funding towards music education, which would provide support and focus across the sector.

The letter has already surpassed 500 signatures.

Sheeran is campaigning for five key areas of growth: music funding in schools, training for music teachers, funding for grassroots venues/spaces, music apprenticeships, and a diverse music curriculum.

Sheeran and other music industry voices addressed the Prime Minister as well as the departments of Culture, Education, Foreign Office, Health and Social Care and Business and Trade.

They believe a cross-departmental taskforce will provide the attention, focus and funding that music education requires.

It follows two speeches at last month’s BRIT Awards, where Myles Smith and Ezra Collective urged the UK government to address the demise of grassroots venues, music funding, and music education.