Gordon Brown is the most popular member of the cabinet, according to a poll published on Tuesday.

The ICM survey for the Guardian newspaper gives the chancellor a net approval rating of 45 points, an increase of 17 over the past year.

In contrast, the prime minister is lagging behind in fifth place with a net rating of plus six, behind home secretary David Blunkett, foreign secretary Jack Straw and culture secretary Tessa Jowell.

Education secretary Estelle Morris has yet to make a sizeable impact; she has a net rating of zero. Just under a third of those interviewed were unsure if they were satisfied or unsatisfied with her performance so far.

Unsurprisingly, transport secretary Stephen Byers proves the least popular minister with a net approval rating of minus 49, 60 points lower than in the poll taken last year.

His rating, following the collapse of Railtrack and rows in his department concerning spin doctor Jo Moore and communications chief Martin Sixsmith, is lower than that scored by former prime minister Margaret Thatcher when she was in office.

Above Byers, deputy prime minister John Prescott and health secretary Alan Milburn tie with a net rating of minus eight.

The poll also shows the Conservatives closing the gap with Labour.

Labour has fallen by three points to 42 per cent, with the Conservatives gaining five at 34 per cent and Liberal Democrats up one to 19 per cent.

The change leaves the government eight points ahead, its lowest lead since the fuel crisis of September 2000.