More people would back a Labour government led by Keir Starmer with Rachel Reeves as Chancellor than the Tories when it comes to who is best for the British economy.
An exclusive poll for the Mirror found that 42% of people would back the Labour team to run the nation's finances over just 36% who support Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak to do it.
Crucially, the findings by Deltapoll also show that Labour has a stronger reputation for economic competence than the Tories in seats which Mr Johnson gained at the last election.
The results also put Mr Starmer ahead of the Prime Minister on leadership, with the Labour leader getting a +4 approval rating compared with Mr Johnson's -4.
It means that the Conservatives are substantially behind Labour on both leadership and the economy - with no party ever going on to win a general election from that position.
The poll gave Labour a 10-point lead over the Tories, one point up from the previous poll to 42%, suggesting the Opposition's lead is holding for the time being.
Labour's improved standing on the economy is crucial to the party being in with a chance of winning the next general election, having trailed behind for years.
Cost of living pressures facing Britain are likely to increase this Spring with soaring inflation, tax hikes and energy bill increases all on the horizon.
Mr Johnson has doubled down on his controversial national insurance hike to boost NHS funding - despite reports he was "wobbling" over the issue last week as he tried to placate furious Tory MPs.
Mr Sunak, who had warned that scrapping the increase would be "fiscally irresponsible" as it would mean more borrowing to plug the gap, won the 'tug-of-war' over the plan.
But the PM's decision also suggests he is increasingly confident that his job is safe for now after Sue Gray's report into No 10 gatherings was delayed.
