Minister admits cutting net migration is 'challenging'

The Minister for Security and Immigration James Brokenshire has admitted that cutting net migration is "challenging" as figures reveal a "significant" rise in people moving to the UK.

Net migration into the UK totalled 243,000 in the year up to March, up from 175,000 in the previous 12 months, according to the Office for National Statistics.

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.

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