David Cameron has insisted he can meet his target to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands despite new figures showing the number had soared.
Figures showed net-migration rose to 318,000 last year - the highest figure since 2005.
After announcing new plans to cut immigration, Mr Cameron told ITV News' Romilly Weeks that he would not abandon his target, saying the figures showed "how much work we have to do".
Net long-term migration into the UK surged to near record levels last year, new figures show.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said net migration increased to 318,000 in 2014, a "statistically significant" rise of more than 109,000 from the previous year.
The figure is just shy of the 2005-peak level of 320,000.
Confirmation of the rise came as the Government promised "radical" action to curb the number of illegal workers coming to the UK.
The news will come as a blow to Prime Minister David Cameron who previously promised to cut the number of people arriving in the UK to the tens of thousands.
The figures - measuring the number of people entering the country minus the number leaving - revealed:
Make no mistake, these fresh net migration figures are absolutely terrible for the Government.
David Cameron will unveil plans later today for "radical" new laws to control immigration that include seizing the wages of illegal workers.