'Significant' rise in migration to UK

Net migration into the UK totalled 243,000 in the year up to March, up from 175,000 in the previous 12 months, official figures show.

The Office for National Statistics said the increase in migration was "statistically significant".

EU citizens accounted for two-thirds of the immigration increase, the ONS said.

There was also an increase in Romanian and Bulgarian citizens migrating to the UK, up to 28,000 from 12,000 in the previous 12 months.

'Sustainable levels'

Employment restrictions affecting citizens from the two countries were lifted in January.

Prime Minister David Cameron has previously pledged to reduce net migration to below 100,000 by 2015.

According to the quarterly statistics, a total of 560,000 immigrants arrived in the UK over the 12-month period to March, while an estimated 316,000 people left.

There was an increase in people migrating for work, to 228,000, while 177,000 arrivals were students.

Long-term emigration was "relatively stable", the ONS said.

Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire said: "Uncontrolled, mass immigration makes it difficult to maintain social cohesion, puts pressure on public services and forces down wages. That's why our focus remains on controlling migration at sustainable levels."

He said the government had cut net migration since the previous administration and was "creating a system that is fair to British citizens and legitimate migrants but is tough on those who flout the rules." /Agencies