23.03.2025: UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl has thrown his support behind Ed Sheeran’s call on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to do far more to support music education.
In his letter to the PM which UK Music has signed, the singer/songwriter urged the Government to fund 1,000 more music teachers and to invest £250 million in music education in state schools “to repair decades of dismantling”.
His plea echoes UK Music’s calls on the Government to hire more music teachers to reverse years of decline of music education in schools. Ed Sheeran also warned that learning to play an instrument was “now a luxury not every child can afford”.
The letter, signed by 500 fellow musicians including Harry Styles, Annie Lennox, Coldplay, Sir Elton John and Stormzy, also called for on the Government to stop the closure of university music departments, highlighting Cardiff University’s recent proposal to close its school of music.
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said:
“The alarm bells are ringing and there is a crisis in music education. Over the years there have been real term cuts in funding, budgetary shortfalls, fewer music teachers and declining participation in GCSE and A-Level Music which have created a perfect storm.
“Since its election last summer, the Government has made positive noises to reverse music education’s decline. But it is now time to turn these warm words into action.
“The recent interim report on the curriculum review and announcement of plans for a National Centre for Arts and Music Education, indicates further change could be coming and it’s vital that the government works with music industry to ensure these have a positive impact and benefit those that need it most – the schools, brilliant educators and talented young people whose potential offers so much.
“If, however, these warning signs are ignored we risk losing the next generation of talent, with all of us then missing out.
UK Music has signed and supports this letter. It is fantastic to see Ed Sheeran, Annie Lennox, Sir Elton John and many others add their weight as to why action is needed now.”
You can read Ed Sheeran’s letter on his post here.
Tom’s comments received widespread coverage including in:
Press Association
+ many regional news brands
Back to news