UK Home Secretary Confirms Government Plans to Reduce Migration From EU

UK Home Minister Amber Rudd confirmed on Sunday government's intention to reduce the number of migrants from the European Union to the tens of thousands.

LONDON (Sputnik) — The government is "completely committed" to reduce net migration, and "yes tens of thousands, although it will take some time," Rudd told the BBC broadcaster.

The net migration amounted to 327,000 people in the 12 months up to the end of March, according to the Office for National Statistics.

According to Rudd, the government is also seeking to reduce the number people using student visas to arrive in the United Kingdom.

New UK Prime Minister Theresa May has previously said that curbing migration would be her "absolute priority."

Earlier in September, UK media reported that UK nationals might have to apply online and pay for EU travel after the withdrawal from the bloc in compliance with the EU plans to present a visa waiver scheme similar to the US system.

On June 23, the nationwide referendum on EU membership was held in the United Kingdom, in which 51.9 percent of voters supported the country leaving the bloc. Brexit supporters have used the migration issue as one of the main arguments to persuade people to vote for leaving the European bloc.