Net migration at record levels, U.K. says

LONDON — The number of people migrating to the United Kingdom remains at record levels, and the figure for people moving from the European Union is at its highest level ever, the Office of National Statistics said Thursday.

The agency said an unprecedented 284,000 EU citizens are estimated to have arrived in the year to June — right before Britain voted to leave the European Union.

Immigration was a key issue during Britain’s EU referendum in June, when 52 percent of voters opted for leaving the 28-nation bloc. Many who voted “Leave” backed the move because they want the U.K. to have more control over immigration, which is difficult under the EU’s freedom-of-movement principle.

Helen Bower, spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May, said the government stands by its ambition to reduce net migration below 100,000 — a goal the Conservative party government set several years ago.

Net long-term immigration — the difference between the numbers arriving and leaving the country — was estimated at 335,000, down just slightly from 336,000 the year before. Net immigration of EU citizens was 189,000.