UK net migration falls by a third

Net migration to the UK fell by a third in the year ending June 2012, compared with the previous 12 months, the latest immigration figures show.

The Office for National Statistics said 163,000 more people came to live in the UK for 12 months or more than left, compared with 247,000 the year before.

The ONS said this was driven by a drop in immigration, and study remained the most common reason to come to the UK.

Ministers want to cut net migration to the "tens of thousands" by 2015.