Day 1, afternoon keynote:

Biography:
Hilary Benn MP is the Secretary of State for International Development.

In June 1999, he was elected as Member of Parliament for Leeds Central. From 1999-2001 he was a member of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Select Committee and Vice-Chair of the Backbench Education Committee of Labour MPs.

In June 2001, he was appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development. Between May 2002 and May 2003, he was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Community and Custodial provision at the Home Office.

In May 2003 he was appointed as Minister of State for International Development and in October that year was made Secretary of State for International Development.

As Secretary of State, which includes being the Prime Minister's Africa Personal Representative, Hilary is accountable to Parliament for the work of the Department.