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The foreign secretary reiterated his pro-immigration stance, saying he had "no problem" with skilled EU migrants coming to Britain to work and live "provided we have control". He stood by the target set by former Prime Minister David Cameron of reducing annual migration to "tens of thousands', while pledging an extra £5bn a year for the NHS after Brexit. Mr Johnson was speaking to Andrew Marr from Boston, following a speech at the United Nations in New York. Asked if he was still in favour of immigration, the former Mayor of London replied: "Yes, sir. "I want skilled and talented people to come to the UK. "If they want to live their lives, if they want to fulfil their dreams - I have no problem with that, provided we have control."

BBC Boris Johnson said it was time Britain

We've got to invest in our own young people, and build up the skills of people growing up in this country Boris Johnson on immigration

Asked about the considerable number of foreign migrants who contribute to UK industries including construction, healthcare, finance and education, Mr Johnson replied: "We need immigrants to do all these things...and to a certain extent that is true. "But we've also got to invest in our own young people, and we've also got to build up the skills of people growing up in this country. "For 25 years, UK business and industry has been mainlining immigration like some kind of drug without actually investing enough or caring enough about the skills and the training of young people in our country. "That's what Theresa May and the new government want to focus on."

BBC Boris Johnson said businesses outside of Europe were starting to see Brexit's potential

Mr Johnson has previously stated his preference for a "hard" Brexit - withdrawing form the EU's single market in order to have full control of the UK's borders. He said that during his time outside of Europe he had been struck by the number of businesses "starting to see the opportunities" form Brexit. Asked when the UK would trigger Article 50, Mr Johnson there was still a lot of work "to get our ducks in order". However he added that neither he, the Government or the EU wanted the process to "drag on", and dismissed suggestion by former Chancellor George Osborne to hold off on Brexit until after the French and German elections in late 2017.

BBC MR Johnson speaking to Andrew Marr from Boston