Next stop Westminster: EMR encourages school groups to take advantage of major group discounts and Parliament subsidy support

East Midlands Railway (EMR), which is operated by Transport UK, is encouraging schools across the region to make the most of its heavily discounted group travel offer and Parliament subsidy to visit the Houses of Parliament.

With tailored discounts available for school groups of 10 or more, schools can save up to 50% compared to equivalent adult fares – with savings of up to £10 per student, depending on the journey.

Schools planning a visit to UK Parliament can also benefit from the Parliament’s travel subsidy scheme. Eligible education groups from outside London and the South East can claim back up to 85% of receipted travel costs, up to a maximum of £2,400. 

This makes visits to Parliament significantly more affordable and accessible for state-funded schools and eligible institutions - more details about which groups and schools qualify can be found here: Travel Subsidy - Parliament UK Education. 

To further support schools, EMR offers a dedicated Group Travel team who guide teachers through the booking process, ensuring that groups can travel together smoothly and with confidence.

EMR’s network connects schools to a wide range of educational destinations. Popular trips include visits to major museums and galleries in London, as well as landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Chatsworth, and the Peak District.

In addition to longer journeys, many schools use EMR’s services to support curriculum learning. Short trips on regional routes give pupils hands-on experience of travel and transport, helping them understand how the railway operates in practice.

Lilian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South and Minister for Local Transport, said: “I love welcoming school groups from Nottingham South to Parliament, and students and their teachers always tell me how much they enjoy and learn on their tours of the Palace of Westminster.

"I’m delighted that in addition to Parliament's own travel subsidy scheme, East Midlands Railway are also offering this group travel discount and a dedicated team to support schools making bookings. I hope this helps many more of Nottingham's children and young people to visit Parliament and our capital city."

Simon Pready, Commercial Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “By combining EMR’s discounted group travel with the Government’s generous subsidy scheme, there’s never been a better time for schools to visit the Houses of Parliament. These initiatives remove cost barriers and open the door for more young people to experience our democracy first-hand.

“Seeing how Parliament works in real life brings learning to life in a way the classroom simply can’t. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to understand how decisions are made, how laws are shaped, and how they themselves can play a role in the future of our country.”

For more information on the group travel visit here: Group Train Tickets and Discounts | EMR