Oliver has written to Hertfordshire County Council to convene a meeting with education officials following the announcement of this year’s secondary school place allocations.

The figures saw the number of children in Hertsmere requiring a secondary place in September increase from by 3 per cent from 1,292 to 1,333.

Oliver wrote to Cllr Terry Douris, the member of the County Council Executive responsible for education.

Speaking this week after signing his letter, Oliver said: ‘Making sure all children have access to a good place is one of the main reasons I entered politics. I owe a debt of gratitude for the excellent state education I received, which gave me the very best start in life.

‘That’s why I’ve written to the County Council to press for an update on what they are doing to meet the rising demand for school places in our borough.

‘Schools are already are under pressure and if we are going to build more homes for our children and grandchildren, we must have the right infrastructure, including crucially school capacity.

‘I have constantly hammered this message home to the County Council and other local agencies, and will continue to do so.’

Cllr Douris has now replied to Oliver and the date for their meeting is being finalised.

This is latest step in Oliver’s wider campaign for better infrastructure and public services in Hertsmere and for more detail you can visit his website on oliverdowden.com.