Conservatives see lead over Labour fall to single figures

The Tory lead over Labour has dipped into single figures for the first time in a year, according to a new poll today.

The ICM/Guardian survey put the Conservatives on 40 per cent (down two points on a similar survey last month) Labour on 31 per cent (up two) and the Liberal Democrats on 18 per cent (down one).

It is the first ICM survey since December last year to put the Tory lead at less than 10 points, and the third major poll this month to report a single-figure margin between the two main parties.

Labour's vote share in ICM polls has now increased for the fourth month in a row, from a 25 per cent low in August.

Although the figures would almost certainly deliver Mr Cameron a majority in the Commons if replicated in a general election, Labour strategists believe the mood of voters is shifting in their direction.

Today's poll is the first to take in the full impact of the pre-Budget report. Plans to tax bankers have proved popular, despite proposals for spending cuts. One Cabinet minister said the narrowing polls reflected public unease with Tory plans for "austerity Britain".