This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34931725

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Net migration to UK hits record 336,000, statistics show Net migration to UK hits record 336,000, statistics show
(about 1 hour later)
Estimated net migration to the UK reached a record 336,000 in the year to June, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures have shown.Estimated net migration to the UK reached a record 336,000 in the year to June, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures have shown.
The figure - the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving - was 82,000 more than the previous year.The figure - the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving - was 82,000 more than the previous year.
Statisticians said the rise was down to a "statistically significant" increase in the number arriving in the UK. Jay Lindop, from the ONS, said the majority of people over the last year came to the UK for work or study.
The government said it highlighted the challenge to reduce net migration to "sustainable levels".The government said it highlighted the challenge to reduce net migration to "sustainable levels".
It aims to get net migration down to five figures by 2020.It aims to get net migration down to five figures by 2020.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said the statistics showed "the government's complete failure to control immigration" and urged people to vote to leave the EU in the "in/out" referendum expected by the end of 2017.
The net migration figure was also higher than the last provisional data, which showed the index at what was then a record 330,000 in the 12 months to March. This has since been revised up to 336,000 as well.The net migration figure was also higher than the last provisional data, which showed the index at what was then a record 330,000 in the 12 months to March. This has since been revised up to 336,000 as well.
The ONS data revealed that:The ONS data revealed that:
Jay Lindop, head of population statistics at the ONS, said the latest figure "remains the highest on record". Ms Lindop, head of population statistics at the ONS, said the latest figure "remains the highest on record".
"Net migration has increased over the last year for both EU and non-EU nationals, with the majority of people migrating to the UK coming for work or study," she said.
'Financial incentives''Financial incentives'
The ONS said the rise was due to a 62,000 increase in immigration to 636,000 and a 20,000 reduction in emigration to 300,000.The ONS said the rise was due to a 62,000 increase in immigration to 636,000 and a 20,000 reduction in emigration to 300,000.
More than two thirds of the immigration increase was driven by EU citizens, the majority of whom came to Britain to work.More than two thirds of the immigration increase was driven by EU citizens, the majority of whom came to Britain to work.
Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said the government was committed to reforms "across the whole of government" to deliver "the controlled migration system".Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said the government was committed to reforms "across the whole of government" to deliver "the controlled migration system".
"Our new Immigration Bill will address illegal working, the pull factors that draw migrants to Britain and the availability of public services which help them to remain here unlawfully," he said."Our new Immigration Bill will address illegal working, the pull factors that draw migrants to Britain and the availability of public services which help them to remain here unlawfully," he said.
"The last two set of figures show record levels of EU immigration which show why the prime minister is right to negotiate with the EU to reform welfare to reduce the financial incentives that attract EU migrants to the UK.""The last two set of figures show record levels of EU immigration which show why the prime minister is right to negotiate with the EU to reform welfare to reduce the financial incentives that attract EU migrants to the UK."
The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said asylum remained "the smallest component" of UK immigration "by some distance".The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said asylum remained "the smallest component" of UK immigration "by some distance".
Director Madeleine Sumption said migration for work and study were "the largest categories" and said changes in net migration were "mainly being driven" by economic factors like the success of the UK economy rather than by new policies.Director Madeleine Sumption said migration for work and study were "the largest categories" and said changes in net migration were "mainly being driven" by economic factors like the success of the UK economy rather than by new policies.
Alp Mehmet, vice chairman of Migration Watch UK, said the figures were "very disappointing" and warned "the pressure on our infrastructure will intensify" if the numbers continued to rise.