Ed Sheeran writes open letter urging UK government to invest in music education

nme.com:

Ed Sheeran has written an open letter to the UK government calling for immediate and long-term funding for music education.The letter, who is co-signed by a number of big names including Elton John, Coldplay, Central Cee, Harry Styles, Dave, Stormzy and Robert Plant, urges Keir Starmer to commit £250million towards music education.Having launched the Ed Sheeran Foundation in January, the initiative highlights five areas that the government can focus on to improve standards: music funding in schools, training for music teachers, funding for grassroots venues and spaces, music apprenticeships and a diverse music curriculum.The letter contains signatures from hundreds of voices across the music industry, civil society and the education sector, and argues for a cross-departmental taskforce at government level, so that music education does not “fall through the cracks”.“Dear Sir Keir Starmer, we are writing collectively as artists, civil society and industry, appealing to your personal belief in music and the promise of opportunity for all under Labour,” the letter begins.It goes on to argue that the music industry brings £7.6billion into the UK economy each year, but says “the next generation is not there to take the reins” as many young people cannot afford to learn an instrument.“Last year was the first in over 20 years without a UK global top 10 single or album in the charts,” the letter continues. “The time to act is now.

State schools – which educate 93% of the country’s children – have seen a 21% decrease in music provision.”“We collectively ask for a £250m UK music education package this Spring to repair decades of dismantling music.