A second opinion poll today has revealed a huge surge in support for the Brexit campaign, with the Leave campaign up seven points on two weeks ago.

The ICM telephone survey revealed a four point Brexit lead. It was released hours after a poll by ORB also showed Vote Leave closing the gap.

The ICM phone poll suggested a 14-point reversal as, once 'don't knows' were excluded, Brexit was ahead 52-48 - compared to a Remain lead of 55-45 two weeks ago.

The plunge in support for Remain in the ICM poll also produced an immediate market reaction as the value of the pound made a small but sharp drop against the dollar.

The dramatic turn around comes after a string of polls showed the Remain campaign building a solid lead in almost all opinion polls.

Last Thursday, official migration statistics revealed the numbers of people coming to Britain from inside the EU had matched the all time high of 184,000 and Brexit campaigners have warned the figures demonstrate the lack of control Britain has over its borders.

The latest ICM poll for the Guardian revealed a huge change in the phone poll as a 10-point lead for Remain today showed a four point lead for Leave. The online poll found the same result for the first time

The huge change in the telephone poll, conducted for the Guardian, will be particularly troubling to the Remain campaign led by David Cameron as they have almost always shown his camp in front.

An online survey carried out simultaneously - reflecting the wide gap between the two methods - also showed a 52-48 lead for Brexit but this was unchanged on two weeks ago.

Following this morning's ORB poll for the Daily Telegraph, strategist Sir Lynton Crosby said a shift in emphasis to immigration was likely to be helping the Out campaign's numbers.

Sir Lynton - who steered David Cameron's Conservatives to a majority election win last year - praised an 'increasing focus on lack of control over immigration and associated message discipline'.

Sir Lynton had slammed the Out campaigns - including the main Vote Leave group and smaller campaigns such as Leave.EU - for infighting and confused messages.

Other polling results out today reveal continued confusion among Labour voters about Jeremy Corbyn's position on Brexit.

Almost 30 per cent of Labour members do not know the party's position and only 43 per cent of people understand most Labour MPs back staying in the EU.

The figures will raise again fears among the Britain Stronger in Europe that the In campaign could be hampered by lacklustre turn out.

The new ICM poll provoked a small but sharp adjustment in the value of the pound against the dollar. The graph dropped sharply at the far right at the same time as news of the poll was announced

The latest ORB poll showed Remain holding a five point lead over Leave - but the gap has closed significantly from the firm's previous results and Sir Lynton Crosby has cited a focus on immigration as a reason

With just 23 days to go, Sir Lynton said it was critical for the Brexit campaign to grab the attention of the remaining undecided voters.

He said: 'The challenge for the Leave campaign is to persuade more voters of their position. Their existing voters are more motivated but they need more voters to be convinced that voting out offers something better.

'In my experience, it is with about three weeks to go when voters start to pay real attention to the choice they are being asked to make.

'Whatever they feel about what they have been doing now is the time for both campaigns to put in the hard work.'

Boris Johnson took the Vote Leave campaign to the cricket at Chester-le-Street this weekend and will be cheered by the improved poll rating

City traders responded to the latest polling data by slightly easing support toward the Leave campaign.

A regular 'barometer' of city traders last week showed an 81 per cent expectation of a Remain vote. Today, this fell back to 77 per cent as traders bet more on a Brexit.

Matt Brief, Head of Dealing at IG Group, which runs the barometer, said: 'Traders have clearly felt that the REMAIN price was starting to look overvalued.

VOTE REMAIN TO PROTECT THE UK AND EUROPE FROM GETTING WEAKER, BUSINESS CHIEFS WARN More than 50 chairmen and chief executives today warned against quitting the EU because of the damage it would do to both the UK and Europe. The members of the European Round Table of Industrialists - which counts Vodafone boss Vittorio Colao and Rolls Royce chief Ian Davis among its members - said the 'unravelling' of Europe would hit the economy. In a letter to the Financial Times, they said: 'While respecting the decision of the people of the United Kingdom, we believe that a Europe without the UK would be weaker, just as the UK itself would be weaker outside Europe. 'We believe the case for Europe has never been stronger.' The group argued the EU's size gave it 'tremendous' bargaining power as it negotiated trade deals with other parts of the world. The letter from the ERT follows similar interventions from other business groups urging Britons to back continued EU membership. Advertisement

'This price move shows there are still many more twists and turns to run in the lead up to the vote.

'These week's sees the start of the many television debates with David Cameron and Michael Gove appearing on Sky News on Thursday and Friday evenings.

'Their performances along with the continued publication of polling data is likely to influence future trading patterns.'

Mr Corbyn has faced continued calls to step up his EU referendum campaign and appear less reluctant to support the overwhelming view of his MPs.

Former chancellor Alistair Darling last week admitted Mr Corbyn still had to 'do more' to help the In campaign.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell is to embark on a week long tour focussing on how EU reform can continue if Britain stays in.

He said: 'Next month there is a serious choice before the British people, the prospect of a Tory Brexit or a Labour Remain and Reform to create Another Europe that offers greater opportunity for working people in our country and across the EU.

'One option risks leaving us more exposed to George Osborne's mishandling of the economy from the inevitable economic shock that most economists agree would follow a Tory Brexit.

'And then there's the progressive option of a 'Another Europe', whereby under the next Labour government we can reform the undemocratic aspects of the EU while using the levers of power there to clamp down on tax avoidance, protect workplace rights and stand up for British industries like steel.

'For the first time in over a generation there are movements and political forces mobilised and mobilising across Europe to respond to the challenges we face.'

David Cameron launched a five point pledge card for the Remain campaign yesterday as the referendum entered its final period

Business Secretary Sajid Javid today hit the campaign trail to warn Brexit would hurt thousands of small businesses.

BOTTOMS UP! PUB CHAIN PRINTS 200,000 BEER MATS TO REMIND DRINKERS TO BACK BREXIT Pub company JD Wetherspoon has printed 200,000 beer mats bearing a hard-hitting message arguing for the UK to leave the European Union. The beer mats will be available in the company's 920 pubs across the UK In the run-up to the June 23 referendum. The message draws attention to governance issues with senior staff at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and asks why UK voters should trust the views of its managing director, Christine Lagarde, who has voiced her support for the Remain group. The beer mat has a message on both sides, which is signed by Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin, pictured above, a strong believer in leaving the EU. Mr Martin said: 'The Government has paraded a number of financial institutions in front of the public, who have, in my view, grossly distorted our financial prospects in the event of a Brexit. 'Corporate governance at the IMF is clearly out of control and Christine Lagarde would have been obliged to resign at any normal plc or institution until the matters in question were resolved. 'The UK public have been asked to rely on her comments by both George Osborne and David Cameron in the forthcoming referendum and she must now answer the questions on the beer mats and others that the public may have.' Advertisement

Mr Javid, who has been criticised for appearing to change his mind on the EU, warned it was a 'dangerous' misconception to believe small firms would not be hurt by a vote to leave.

Speaking in Birmingham, Mr Javid said small firms were the 'backbone of our economy' and the livelihoods of millions of workers could be put at risk if the country breaks from Brussels on June 23.

He cited analysis by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) estimating that 8 per cent export to the EU and a further 15 per cent are in the supply chains of other businesses that export to the EU.

Mr Javid said: 'Make no mistake: if we vote to leave the EU, small businesses will be hit hard.

'You may have heard the myth that only massive multinationals want us to stay in the EU; that small businesses want out; that hardly any small firm exports to the EU, so leaving it won't be such a big deal.

'That's just plain wrong.

'It's a misconception that could have dangerous consequences for millions of people who rely on small businesses for their jobs and for their livelihoods.'

John Longworth, former director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce who now chairs the Vote Leave Business Council, said: 'These Government figures are extremely questionable.

'The reality is that only 6 per cent of British firms export to the EU, but 100 per cent are caught up in red tape and costs from Brussels.

'If we Vote Leave and take back control of our economy, our businesses will thrive.'

Business TV stars including Apprentice boss Lord Sugar and seven past and present members of the Dragons' Den panel added their voices to the Remain camp.

In a video message, Lord Sugar warned that Brexit would be a 'massive mistake' and was a 'daft idea'.

'This is a gamble that we cannot afford to take,' the Government's new enterprise tsar said.

Another poll showed 58 per cent of the public believe David Cameron would have to quit as Prime Minister if his Remain side loses the referendum on June 23. The Evening Standard poll, by BMG Research, also showed Mr Johnson is far and away the favourite to take over as PM in the event of Mr Cameron standing aside.

The poll showed 39 per cent believe Mr Cameron would have to quit on the spot if the vote went in favour of Brexit, and a further 19 per cent believe he would have to go within a year.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid today used a campaign speech to warn a Brexit would hit small businesses hard - but his claims were dismissed by Vote Leave

Up to half a MILLION refugee families could head to Britain using EU free movement rules after 2020, report warns

Lord Green, chairman of Migration Watch, warned refugees gaining citizenship in Europe could come to Britain

Up to half a million refugees and their relatives could move to Britain after 2020 because of EU rules on the free movement of people, a major new report claimed today.

While Germany, Greece and Italy have borne the brunt of the refugee crisis arriving at Europe's borders, those granted asylum could settle in the UK in the coming years after they have acquired EU citizenship.

A report by Migration Watch, which campaigns for tighter border controls, said an analysis of EU figures show that hundreds of thousands of people could take this route into the UK.

Lord Green of Deddington, chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: 'The UK could well face a significant secondary flow of refugees from Europe in the coming years adding to the already huge strain being placed on housing and public services.

'While the UK has so far been largely shielded from the crisis in southern Europe, this potential flow can only add to the impact of migration which is already seriously affecting communities across the country.'

The report, entitled The Refugee and Migrant Crisis in the EU, says that according to Eurostat a projected 968,000 migrants will have been granted asylum or humanitarian protection for 2015 and the first quarter of 2016.

According to leaked estimates from the German authorities, each person granted asylum is likely to be followed by between four and eight family members.

Migration Watch said that taking the lower figure of four would suggest the total inflow to Europe could amount to 4.8 million over a period of years - without taking account of any future arrivals who might successfully claim asylum.

The report said that if 10 per cent of these refugees decided to move to Britain once they got EU citizenship, which can be claimed after around five years, then 480,000 people could arrive in the UK in the years following 2020.

Official migration statistics last week - of which refugees are a small component- thrust immigration to the centre of the EU referendum debate

Less than HALF of Labour's voters know the party's position on the EU as Jeremy Corbyn faces further criticism for his reluctant campaign

Just 43 per cent of Labour voters know most of the party's politicians support remaining in the EU, new polling has revealed.

Despite Jeremy Corbyn launching a bus tour on behalf of the Labour In campaign, almost 20 per cent of those who backed Labour last year think the party is split down the middle or firmly for Brexit.

But contrast, the party's MPs almost all support staying in the EU - with exceptions including Gisela Stuart, Frank Field and Kate Hoey.

Less than half of Labour voters know the party's politicians mostly want to stay in the EU despite Jeremy Corbyn's efforts to raise the profile of his party's campaign

Mr Corbyn has faced repeated claims his heart is not in the campaign to keep Britain In, partly motivated by his long career of being critical of the EU.

Former chancellor Alistair Darling last week admitted Mr Corbyn still had to 'do more' to help the In campaign.

The criticism echoed many on the Labour side who have protested Mr Corbyn's lack of enthusiasm.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell is to embark on a week long tour focussing on how EU reform can continue if Britain stays in.

Brexit means cheaper energy bills for the poor claims Boris Johnson as he slams 'unfair and damaging' EU rules on VAT

Britain's energy bills will be slashed by £2 billion a year if voters back Brexit because it would allow ministers to scrap the 'unfair' VAT tax on gas and electricity, Leave campaigners claimed today.

EU rules on VAT introduced in 1993 ban individual member states from cutting VAT below 5 per cent.

Leading Brexit campaigners Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Labour MP Gisela Stuart havetoday claimed Brexit would benefit the poorest families because they pay three times more of their income on household energy bills than the richest households.

Boris Johnson (pictured sipping a beer with ex-cricketer and fellow Brexit supporter Sir Ian Botham yesterday) promised today that energy bills will be slashed if Britain leaves the EU

They say the £2 billion tax cut in energy bills could be funded with some of the £8.5 billion a year saved from Britain's contributions to the EU.

The retail offer is aimed at combating the Remain campaign's strong warnings on the economic costs of leaving the EU - including claims that Brexit will make grocery bills £220 more expensive every year.

But the Remain campaign accused Mr Johnson and Mr Gove of 'fantasy economics' by claiming Brexit will cut fuel bills.

In a sign of the increasingly bitter civil war in the Conservative party, the Chancellor took a swipe at his Tory colleagues on Twitter this morning.

'More fantasy economics from Vote Leave: leaving EU would lead to smaller economy, a hole in public finances + higher taxes - like higher VAT,' he wrote

But the Remain campaign accused Mr Johnson and Mr Gove of 'fantasy economics' by claiming Brexit will cut fuel bills. In a sign of the increasingly bitter civil war in the Conservative party, the Chancellor took a swipe at his Tory colleagues on Twitter this morning

Writing in The Sun, Mr Gove, Mr Johnson and Ms Stuart said this morning: 'In 1993, VAT on household energy bills was imposed. This makes gas and electricity much more expensive.

'EU rules mean we cannot take VAT off those bills. The least wealthy are hit particularly hard. As a proportion, the poorest households spend three times more of their income on household energy bills than the richest households spend.

'As long as we are in the EU, we are not allowed to cut this tax. When we vote Leave, we will be able to scrap this unfair and damaging tax.

'It isn't right that unelected bureaucrats in Brussels impose taxes on the poorest while elected British politicians can do nothing about it.'

EU president admits officials drawing up a 'utopia' of united Europe have 'failed to notice' it's not what 'ordinary people' want

Eurocrats 'obsessed' with the goal of a European superstate forget the people of Europe are not interested in the idea, the EU Council president admitted today.

Donald Tusk said the EU had 'failed to notice' the goals of its officials differed widely from the ambitions of the people in different member states.

Mr Tusk's intervention came hours before Chris Grayling, a leading Vote Leave campaigner and cabinet minister, warned the 'special status' claimed by David Cameron for Britain in the EU would not protect the country from further integration.

Mr Grayling said the Lisbon Treaty, signed by Gordon Brown, was worded so loosely it was open to interpretation and expansion by officials and European judges.

European Council President Donald Tusk, pictured with David Cameron at last week's G7 summit in Japan, has admitted the 'utopian' ideal of an integrated Europe is not shared by many European citizens

The Commons leader warned such expansion had already taken place over benefits policy and at a speech in London warned against it happening again to the NHS and social protection.

Speaking last night in Brussels, Mr Tusk said that today's generation of EU politicians was responsible for creating 'a utopia of Europe without nation states.'

HEDGE FUND SPECULATORS AIMING FOR WINDFALL Wealthy hedge funds are trying to make a killing from the result of the June 23 vote by commissioning private exit polls during the day and then betting on the price of sterling. Many financial analysts believe a Brexit vote will spark a short-term fall in the value of the pound, holding out the prospect of a major windfall for speculators. Unlike in general elections, no public exit poll will be carried out. Now hedge funds and investment banks are trying to gain an advantage on rivals on the day by commissioning their own. Electoral law allows exit polls on the day but forbids them being published before the polls close. Advertisement

He told a meeting of his EPP Christian Democrat group that 'obsessed with the idea of instant and total integration, we failed to notice that ordinary people, the citizens of Europe do not share our Euro-enthusiasm.'

Instead, movements and ideas turning against the ideals of a more united Europe are becoming ever more popular.

Mr Tusk said perfect European unity and integration might not be the answer.

'The spectre of a breakup is haunting Europe and a vision of a federation doesn't seem to me like the best answer to it,' he said.

'Disillusioned with the great visions of the future, they demand that we cope with the present reality better than we have been doing until now.

'Today, Euroscepticism, or even Euro-pessimism have become an alternative to those illusions.'

As European Council president, Mr Tusk has major powers to drive the debate and he said that he now wants 'an honest and open debate on the subject.'