Sheeran backs Spotify payments

Award-winning Ed Sheeran has supported the levels of payments made to artists by streaming service Spotify and pointed the finger at record labels for poor returns.

His views contrast with some other acts, including his friend Taylor Swift, who have been critical of royalty figures which gives a fee for each play.

Swift famously withdrew her entire back catalogue from Spotify ahead of the release of her latest album 1989, which had the effect of driving sales rather than diluting them through plays on the subscription service.