Immigration to the UK from the European Union has fallen to the lowest level in five years.

Official figures show an estimated 201,000 EU nationals moved to the UK with an intention to stay 12 months or more in 2018.

This was the lowest inflow from the bloc since 2013, when it also stood at 201,000.

Around 127,000 EU citizens emigrated – giving a net figure of 74,000.

In the year to June 2016, when the Brexit referendum was held, net long-term EU migration was 189,000.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said non-EU long-term immigration has gradually increased over the last five years to similar levels seen in 2011.

Overall net international migration was estimated at 258,000 last year – down from 285,000 in 2017 but still well above the Government’s target level of under 100,000.

Jay Lindop, director of the ONS centre for international migration, said: “Our analysis of the available data suggests that long-term net migration, immigration and emigration figures have remained broadly stable since the end of 2016.”