AN Essex MP has spoken out after new figures showed the number of EU migrants working in Essex has increased by 70 per cent in three years.

Government data shows the number of overseas migrants in Essex granted National Insurance Numbers to work and claim benefits has trebled since 2002.

In 2013, 6,398 EU nationals living in local authorities in Essex registered for a National Insurance Number.

The latest figures for the year to March 2016 have shown that this number has risen to 10,823.

Priti Patel, MP for Witham, said: “These numbers show a staggering increase in the number of EU migrants coming to live and work in Essex, which is putting pressures on our public services, like the NHS, housing, and infrastructure.

"EU rules that let anyone from the EU come into the UK are unsustainable as it means that tougher restrictions are placed on bringing people into the UK from the Commonwealth and other countries outside the EU who have skills that our country needs.

“We need a new immigration system that controls the numbers coming in and welcomes people with skills and talents to make positive contributions to our country.

"The only way we can take back control of our immigration system and our borders is to vote leave in the referendum on 23 June."