David Cameron has received a boost with a poll suggesting voters back the coalition's handling of the economic crisis.
Research by ICM for the Sunday Telegraph found the Tories had leapfrogged Labour despite more dire news for the UK's prospects in the Autumn Statement.
The Conservatives were on 38%, up two points from last month, with Labour down two on 36%.
The Liberal Democrats were unchanged on 14%.
The survey is a blow for Labour leader Ed Miliband amid concerns that he is failing to make an impact on the electorate.
However, it also provided evidence of deep divisions over Chancellor George Osborne's plans to increase the state pension age to 67 from 2026, a decade earlier than previously intended.
Some 37% supported the measure designed to deal with Britain's ageing population, but 50% oppose it.
ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1,005 adults by telephone on November 29-30. Interviews were conducted across the country and results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.
