Net immigration steady at 250,000

Feb 23 2012

Net migration to Britain remained steady at 250,000 in the year to last June, official figures showed.

The number of people arriving in the country, less the number of people leaving, has remained steady since it peaked at 255,000 in the year to September 2010, but is up from 235,000 in the year to June 2010, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The Government has pledged to cut net migration to the tens of thousands by 2015.

Long-term immigration to the UK in the 12 months to June last year was 593,000, up from 582,000 in the year to June 2010, estimated figures published by the ONS showed.

And long-term emigration from the UK in the same period was 343,000, similar to the 347,000 seen in the year to June 2010.

Study remains the most common reason for migrating to the UK, with 242,000 students coming in the year to June 2011.