Net migration from the European Union has fallen to its lowest level in six years, but migration from outside the EU is at its highest level since 2004, new figures show.

The Office for National Statistics said net migration of non-EU nationals in the year to June was 248,000 - the highest total in 14 years.

Meanwhile, net migration of EU nationals was 74,000 - the lowest since 2012.

That meant the UK's population rose by 273,000 due to immigration, with 49,000 British nations emigrating.

The total is down from record levels of around a third of a million two years ago but still well above the government's target of below 100,000.


The drop in EU migration has been mostly driven by changes in migration from E8 countries, with more people from Eastern Europe now leaving than arriving.

Departures have increased since the Brexit referendum. A weakened pound and improving economic conditions in Europe may have made the UK less attractive to EU migrants, according to Oxford University's Migration Observatory.

Axel Antoni, spokesperson for EU citizens' group The 3 Million, told Sky News he believed a lack of clarity about the future and rhetoric against migration in British politics was keeping "the best and brightest" away.

"If Theresa May thinks comments about queue jumpers are not listened to in the UK she's mistaken," he said.

Immigration minister Caroline Nokes said she was pleased migration had reduced and said the UK was "attracting and retaining highly skilled workers" and students who "bring significant benefits to our economy and universities".

"As we leave the EU we will put in place an immigration system which works in the best interests of the whole of the UK and further detail on that will be set out very soon," she said.

However, business leaders expressed concern over the numbers.

"These latest statistics highlight the continuing trend of falling net EU migration amid growing shortages across all skills levels in the UK," Matthew Fell, chief policy director at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said.

The figures were welcomed by Lord Green Deddington, the chairman of Migration Watch, who said: "The net inflow from the EU is still roughly the size of the British Army, despite cries of alarm from industry over Brexit."

The figures come as the government prepares to release its proposals for an immigration system post-Brexit - plans that have been much delayed and so far described in only vague terms.

Mr Antoni told Sky News that for Europeans and the UK the larger numbers leaving the UK was "very sad".

"People have made the UK their home and they're leaving their home," he said.

Satbir Singh, Chief Executive of the Joint Council for the Welfare of immigrants, said the drop was partly due to "toxic rhetoric".

"When a neighbour or a colleague or a friend says 'enough now' and leaves, we all lose out," he said.