Keynote Speech

International scientists and engineers are critical for the UK to compete globally and the need for skills is central to most of the key issues for science and innovation. Our market-driven higher education system is not able to deliver the skills needed and is, in fact, reliant in many areas on international students and academics. We are losing our historic advantage of being English-speaking, as other countries captialise on the international education market. It is vital that the UK maintains its quality and reputation. Problems with the new points based visa systems must be resolved, to provide free flow of individuals, but at the same time the skills resources of developing nations should not be exploited. The problems that the UK faces are global in nature and require global solutions and cannot be solved without international collaboration.

Phil Willis entered Parliament as MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough in 1997, defeating Norman Lamont the former Chancellor of the Exchequer. He was a former Leader of Harrogate Council where he is credited with the revival of Harrogate International Centre, turning it into one of the most successful conference and exhibition centre businesses in the UK. In 1999 he was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Skills by Charles Kennedy retaining the post until the 2005 General Election when he was appointed Chairman of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee. As Chairman he developed a special interest in evidence based policy making, knowledge transfer leading to wealth creation and medical science. In May 2007 he was also appointed Chair of the Joint Committee on the Draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill. In November 2007 the Science and Technology Select Committee was disbanded and the House of Commons Innovation, Universities and Skills Select Committee was formed to oversee the work of the new department. Phil Willis was appointed the chair. In order to reflect the importance of science in the UK, the committee was renamed the House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee in March 2008.