IMMIGRATION to the UK has reached a record level as the inflow of EU citizens hit a historic high.

Immigration to the UK has reached a record level as the inflow of EU citizens hit a historic high.

Official figures showed about 650,000 people arrived in the country in the year to the end of June - the highest number recorded.

The number entering the UK over the 12 months - which mainly covers a period before the referendum as well as a week after - included a record 284,000 EU citizens. 

Net migration - the overall difference between the numbers arriving and leaving the country - was at a near record of 335,000, well above the Government's controversial target of less than 100,000. 

It was also revealed that in 2015 Romania was the most common country of last residence for the first time, making up 10 per cent of immigrants. 

Nicola White, of the Office for National Statistics, said: "Net migration remains around record levels, but it is stable compared with recent years. 

"Immigration levels are now among the highest estimates recorded - the inflow of EU citizens is also at historically high levels and similar to the inflow of non-EU citizens. 

"There were also increases in the number of asylum seekers and refugees. Immigration of Bulgarian and Romanian citizens continues the upward trend seen over the last few years and in 2015 Romania was the most common country of previous residence." 

She said it was too early to say what effect the referendum has had on long-term international migration, adding: "There does not however appear to have been any significant impact during the run-up to the vote." 

Ms White added that the main reason people are coming to the UK is for work. There has been a "significant increase" in numbers looking for employment, particularly from the EU. 

In the year ending in June, 189,000 EU citizens arrived for work - the highest estimate recorded. 

About 57 per cent, or 108,000, of those reported having a definite job to go to while around 82,000 arrived looking for work - a record number and a "statistically significant" increase on the previous year.

The jump includes a rise in the number of citizens arriving to seek employment from the rest of the EU15 group of nations - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain and Sweden. 

Statisticians suggested the rise may in part reflect "weaker labour market conditions" in some southern EU states. 

The net migration figures prompted fresh scrutiny of the Tories' objective to reduce the number to five figures. 

Alp Mehmet, vice chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: "Even if net migration was brought down to 265,000 a year, the UK population would still be growing at half a million a year, every year for the next 10 years. That is the equivalent to another five Birminghams. 

"This is unacceptable to most of the British public." 

Saira Grant, chief executive of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, accused the Government of creating "counter-productive immigration policies designed to make life extremely uncomfortable for migrants" driven by a "fixation on the ill-judged net migration target". 

Immigration minister Robert Goodwill said: "The British people have sent a very clear message that they want more control of immigration and we are committed to getting net migration down to sustainable levels in the tens of thousands. 

"There is no consent for uncontrolled immigration, which puts pressure on schools, hospitals and public services. That is why reducing the number of migrants coming to the UK will be a key priority of our negotiations to leave the EU." 

Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokeswoman said the Government's ambition is still to reduce net migration below 100,000. 

"The Government has been clear that we are committed to reducing migration to sustainable levels, but that it's going to take time," said the spokeswoman.