Estimated net migration reaches record high of 336,000

The key measure of immigration to the UK has reached a new record level, official data has revealed.

Estimated net migration - the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving - stood at 336,000 in the year to June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This was a jump of 82,000 compared to the year to June 2014 and the highest estimate on record, the ONS said.

It was also higher than the last provisional data which showed the index at what was then a record of 330,000 in the 12 months to March, but this has now been revised up to reach 336,000 as well.

Statisticians said the latest rise was down to a "statistically significant" increase in the numbers of people arriving in the UK, with immigration at 636,000 - up 62,000 on the same period last year.

It will prompt renewed scrutiny of the Conservatives' aim of reducing net migration to five figures.