Support for Labour has fallen while the Conservatives maintain a strong lead, according to a new poll.

The Populus survey for Tuesday's Times showed Labour on 32 per cent, down five points since a month ago, while the Tories are up four points to 40 per cent.

While backing for Labour has dropped, the figure is slightly higher than in some other recently published polls - suggesting support for the governing party may be stabilising.

The Tories' rating is the highest ever reached by the party in a survey by the company.

The Liberal Democrats, in the midst of a leadership campaign which was expected to boost the party's profile, remain unchanged on 16 per cent.

The poll found that while 63 per cent of the public are dissatisfied with Labour, 47 per cent still prefer a Labour government.

Labour are down 16 points on being the best party to manage the economy, to 35 per cent, while the Tories are up six points in three months to 34 per cent.

David Cameron's party have overtaken Labour on getting the balance right between taxes and public spending and representing Britain's interests in the EU, while Labour is now only just ahead on the NHS and schools standards.

Meanwhile a separate survey showed confidence in the government's economic stewardship has fallen among business leaders.

The ComRes poll of 100 businessmen showed only 22 per cent were confident in Gordon Brown's ability, down from 31 per cent in the last month.

Chancellor Alistair Darling's confidence rating has slipped from 17 per cent to just 13 per cent.

Conversely, confidence in the Tory frontbench team is rising according to the survey.

Leader David Cameron's rating has risen from 49 per cent to 55 per cent, while shadow chancellor George Osborne has the confidence of 49 per cent, up from 44 per cent.