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Net migration to UK rises to 333,000 - second highest on record Net migration to UK rises to 333,000 - second highest on record
(35 minutes later)
Net migration to the UK rose to 333,000 in 2015, according to the Office for National Statistics.Net migration to the UK rose to 333,000 in 2015, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The net figure is the number of people moving to the UK for at least a year, less the number leaving the UK.The net figure is the number of people moving to the UK for at least a year, less the number leaving the UK.
The ONS figures estimate that net migration for EU citizens was 184,000.The ONS figures estimate that net migration for EU citizens was 184,000.
UKIP's Nigel Farage said the numbers showed immigration was "out of control" and Boris Johnson said a vote to stay in the EU would mean "kissing goodbye permanently" to immigration control.UKIP's Nigel Farage said the numbers showed immigration was "out of control" and Boris Johnson said a vote to stay in the EU would mean "kissing goodbye permanently" to immigration control.
But Home Office minister James Brokenshire said the PM's renegotiation of the UK's membership of the EU would "close back-door routes" and added: "Leaving the EU is absolutely no panacea or silver bullet."But Home Office minister James Brokenshire said the PM's renegotiation of the UK's membership of the EU would "close back-door routes" and added: "Leaving the EU is absolutely no panacea or silver bullet."
Follow updates with BBC EU Referendum Live
In other developments, with four weeks to go before the UK votes on 23 June on whether to stay in or leave the EU:In other developments, with four weeks to go before the UK votes on 23 June on whether to stay in or leave the EU:
According to the Office for National Statistics, there was a 20,000 rise in net migration to the UK from the 313,000 for the year to December 2014.According to the Office for National Statistics, there was a 20,000 rise in net migration to the UK from the 313,000 for the year to December 2014.
The figure is well above the government's aim of getting it to the "tens of thousands" and is the highest recorded for a calendar year.The figure is well above the government's aim of getting it to the "tens of thousands" and is the highest recorded for a calendar year.
Thursday's figures show estimated levels of long-term migration into the UK from within the EU and outside in the year to December 2015.Thursday's figures show estimated levels of long-term migration into the UK from within the EU and outside in the year to December 2015.
They show that 270,000 EU citizens moved to the UK for at least a year in 2015, up from 264,000 in 2014. The number of non-EU citizens moving to the UK was 277,000, down from 287,000 in 2014.They show that 270,000 EU citizens moved to the UK for at least a year in 2015, up from 264,000 in 2014. The number of non-EU citizens moving to the UK was 277,000, down from 287,000 in 2014.
The rise in the net figure was the result of fall in the numbers of people emigrating. The rise in the net figure was the result of a fall in the numbers of people emigrating.
But Vote Leave figurehead Boris Johnson said it was clear "we are adding a population the size of Oxford to the UK every year just from EU migration". But Vote Leave's Boris Johnson said it was clear "we are adding a population the size of Oxford to the UK every year just from EU migration" and said it was "cynical" of the government to say it could bring migration down to the tens of thousands while being in the EU.
He accused David Cameron of having "given away control of immigration and asylum forever" - and urged people to "face the fact that the system has spun out of control".He accused David Cameron of having "given away control of immigration and asylum forever" - and urged people to "face the fact that the system has spun out of control".
"If you vote In on 23 June, you are kissing goodbye permanently to control of immigration," he said. "You are voting for the current situation not only to continue but to get worse."If you vote In on 23 June, you are kissing goodbye permanently to control of immigration," he said. "You are voting for the current situation not only to continue but to get worse.
"The only way to take back control of immigration is to Vote Leave on 23 June. The public should be able to vote for those who make the laws of this country including on immigration. It is intolerable to continue without democratic consent for Britain's immigration policy.""The only way to take back control of immigration is to Vote Leave on 23 June. The public should be able to vote for those who make the laws of this country including on immigration. It is intolerable to continue without democratic consent for Britain's immigration policy."
How to follow the BBC debate Analysis By Home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani
The net migration figure is just short of the record but that statistic alone doesn't do justice to the global picture and the UK's place in it. Everywhere you look, people are on the move - coming and going depending on economic and political circumstances.
EU immigration is relatively stable - although there are more southern Europeans than before thanks to the Eurozone's economic doldrums.
One really interesting figure, that doesn't affect the population headcount - officially at least - is the 110,000 rise in short-term immigration to about 1.2m.
More people are coming for less than a year - such as short contract workers selected by employers who are looking internationally for the best people at the most competitive price.
But it will also include some Brits who spend part of the year here - and the rest living in the sun.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said the numbers show "mass immigration is still hopelessly out of control and set to get worse if we Remain inside the EU, going on with disastrous open borders".UKIP leader Nigel Farage said the numbers show "mass immigration is still hopelessly out of control and set to get worse if we Remain inside the EU, going on with disastrous open borders".
There are about two million citizens of other EU countries currently working in the UK, according to the latest Labour Force Survey. Other ONS figures on employment show:
Figures published by the ONS earlier this month showed 1.2 million more EU migrants have got National Insurance numbers in the past five years than have shown up in the official immigration statistics - a discrepancy seized upon by critics of current immigration policy.
In a speech later - his first of the referendum campaign - former Labour Home Secretary Lord Blunkett will defend the last Labour government's controversial record on immigration and criticise those who he says want to create a "fortress Britain".In a speech later - his first of the referendum campaign - former Labour Home Secretary Lord Blunkett will defend the last Labour government's controversial record on immigration and criticise those who he says want to create a "fortress Britain".
How to follow the BBC One EU referendum debate