Ed Sheeran speaks out after government act on his push to improve music education in UK schools: “A step in the right direction”

Ed Sheeran has spoken out after the UK government took action on his call to improve music education in schools.

Today (Wednesday November 5), the government has announced details of the first major update to the music curriculum in England in more than 10 years. It follows Sheeran’s open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in March.

The document urged Starmer to commit £250million towards music education, and was co-signed by the likes of Elton John, Coldplay, Central Cee, Harry Styles, Dave, Stormzy, and Robert Plant.

Sheeran called for a cross-departmental task force at government level, so that music education does not “fall through the cracks”.

“We collectively ask for a £250m UK music education package this Spring to repair decades of dismantling music. Music education is cross-departmental: Culture, Education, Foreign Office, Health & Social Care and Business & Trade,” it read.

The document also noted that the music industry brings £7.6billion into the UK economy each year, but said “the next generation is not there to take the reins” as many young people cannot afford to learn an instrument.

Today’s announcement of new measures in the government’s curriculum review reflects a “key point” in Sheeran’s letter: the removal of the EBacc measure, to encourage students to study a greater breadth of GCSE subjects, including music and the arts.

The news was met with a response from the PM, who called Sheeran’s letter “powerful”.

Exciting update from parliament today following Ed’s letter to the Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/FzhfK3Qjzi

— Ed Sheeran Foundation (@edsheeranfnd) November 5, 2025

Elsewhere, the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, referenced the musician in her curriculum review speech: “Our creative industries are a source of such national pride. But as Ed Sheeran said so powerfully, we can’t continue to lead on the world stage without a broad base in our schools at home.

“The arts should be for all, not the lucky few… we’ll revitalise arts education, putting it back at the heart of a rich and broad curriculum.”

This change marks a significant milestone for the Ed Sheeran Foundation’s mission to ensure that music remains an integral part of every child’s education, regardless of background, location or resource.

Sheeran launched the foundation in January, in a bid to provide inclusive, high-quality music education for children across the UK, with a particular focus on areas where it is currently less accessible.

Responding to today’s announcement, Sheeran shared a lengthy statement online.

“I set up the Ed Sheeran Foundation because every child deserves to have access to a meaningful music education, and the chance to experience the joy and confidence that musical expression can bring,” it began.

“Shortly after setting up my foundation, I wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister about the critical state of music education in the UK and the fact it was slipping through the cracks. The letter was backed by so many incredible people across the music industry and education who all said the same thing: music education matters.

“The Prime Minister replied, recognising the challenges and expressing his commitment to change.”

He continued: “With the help of the letter and everyone who signed it, I’m happy to say that some of the key points we raised have been recognised by the government today, marking the first change to the music curriculum in over 10 years.

“This involves diversifying the music genres taught in schools and removing outdated systems that stop kids from studying music and the arts as part of their school day. These changes give young people hope and the opportunity to study music.”

Sheeran then looked back on “the encouragement I received in school, especially from my music teacher” had benefitted his career.

“I wouldn’t be a musician today, and I know so many of my peers feel the same,” he wrote. “My music education went beyond learning and playing. It helped me find confidence in myself, and music itself was – and still is – so important for my mental health. There’s a lot more to do to support music education, especially our music teachers, but this is a step in the right direction.”

Sheeran concluded: “Thank you so much to everyone who signed and supported the letter. Today is a good day. Ed x.”

Additionally, the PM today publicly addressed the impact Sheeran had made. “Earlier this year, your open letter sent a powerful message: creativity matters,” Starmer wrote. “Today, the government will publish its response to the curriculum review – and I wanted you to know that your voice has been heard.”

He went on: “The review places creative subjects firmly at the centre. We are revitalising arts education, strengthening music and drama, and launching a new National Centre for Arts and Music Education to support teachers and raise standards.”

Starmer then said that “learning music at school made a huge difference to my life”, adding: “We will make sure every child has access to those experiences – from arts and culture to nature and civic engagement – so that creativity isn’t a privilege, but a right.”

Over the summer, the Prime Minister spoke to NME about the need to “protect creativity” in the UK. We asked him whether he believed that music was a viable career path for young people and those just starting out.

“Oh, it really is. And they need more support because music brings huge joy to those that are performing and to everyone that’s listening,” Starmer told NME. “It’s a major part of the lives of millions of people across the country – virtually everyone. It is also something which, in the UK, we’re really good at – almost at every level.

“It’s a great contribution to our economy – both locally and nationally – and we therefore need to do everything we can to support it.”

The PM was speaking to NME from Milton Keynes, where he had just announced “a major expansion in youth services funding” to build on the Plan For Change initiative.

“Today’s announcement was about the funding going into after-school activities and activities in the holidays,” he continued. “Here, we’ve just been at music lessons for young people in Milton Keynes. And that is giving children who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to play an instrument the possibility of a lifelong love of music in a different way. So I’m hugely passionate and [it is] important to me personally, and to the government.”

Ed Sheeran released his latest studio album, ‘Play’, in September. He already has another record ready to go, and has shared plans for a posthumous full-length project titled ‘Eject’.