London: Annual net migration to Britain has hit a record level of 330,000 – 10,000 higher than its previous high in 2005, a media report said.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the 94,000 rise in overall net migration in the 12 months to March was fuelled by a rise of 84,000 in immigration to 636,000 and a fall of 9,000 in emigration, The Guardian reported.
The rise is split between a 56,000 increase in the numbers coming to live in Britain from within the European Union (EU) and a 39,000 rise in those from outside the EU.
The latest rise in net migration has been mainly driven by a continuing rise in those coming to work in Britain, who account for 65,000 of the increase.
The 330,000 record high in net migration is 10,000 higher than the previous peak of 320,000 recorded in 2005.
Immigration minister, James Brokenshire, said the figures showing net migration 220,000 higher than the government’s 100,000 target and rising were “deeply disappointing”.
The minister said the government had asked for official advice on reducing economic migration from outside the EU as well as negotiating labour market and welfare reforms within Europe.