UK net immigration reaches fresh high in June

Net migration to the UK reached a record level in the 12 months to June, figures released on Thursday showed.

According to the Office for National Statistics, net migration, the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the UK, in the year to June amounted to 336,000, up 82,000 from the previous year.

Net migration of European Union citizens increased to 42,000 to 180,000, while the number of non-EU migrant rose 36,000 to 201,000.

The ONS added the majority of people who moved to the UK last year did so for studying or working purposes, with two thirds of the 294,000 who migrated to Britain for work already having a definite job.

Earlier this year, the government unveiled plans to bring net migration down to five figures by 2020.

"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," said immigration minister James Brokenshire.

"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."

In its report, ONS added the increase was due to a 62,000 increase in immigration to 636,000, which offset a 20,000 reduction in emigration to 300,000.