Almost three-quarters of voters think the government has spent too much time on Brexit at the expense of addressing other important issues, a new poll had found.

The BMG survey for The Independent found that 74 per cent of voters thought ministers had “forgotten” about important domestic issues and focused too much attention on negotiating Britain’s EU withdrawal.

36 per cent said they strongly agreed with the suggestion, while a further 38 per cent somewhat agreed.

Brexit has dominated the parliamentary agenda in recent months, with new legislation having all but dried up as ministers focus their efforts on trying to secure parliament’s support for an exit deal.

On several occasions the House of Commons has risen hours earlier than scheduled because there was nothing for MPs to debate.

Frustration at the lack of focus on other policy areas is much higher among older voters, with 81 per cent of 55- to 64-year-olds and 79 per cent of over-65s saying ministers have been too distracted by Brexit.

That could reflect voters’ concerns about the growing crisis in areas such as social care. The government’s social care plan had been promised before April but has yet to be published. It has now been delayed five times in just over two years.

Anger at the government’s focus on Brexit is consistent across supporters of all the main political parties. While 81 per cent of Labour supporters and 82 per cent of Liberal Democrats think ministers have been too pre-occupied by Britain’s exit from the EU, so too do 70 per cent of Conservative supporters. Even a majority of Ukip supporters (70 per cent) and Brexit Party (62 per cent) supporters agree.

The belief also unites people across the Brexit divide, with 82 per cent of Remain voters and 73 per cent of Leave voters agreeing with the statement: “The government has spent too much time focusing on Brexit and has forgotten about important domestic issues.”

The finding will likely be seized on by allies of Theresa May as evidence that voters want politicians to get on with delivering Brexit.

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(AP Photo/ Kirsty Wigglesworth) Kirsty Wigglesworth AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit protester holds a sign next to a statue of Winston Churchill at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square in Westminster, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday March 29, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Jonathan Brady PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Pro-Brexit protesters hold signs and wave flags at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit epa07471421 Pro-Brexit protesters gather outside of the Parliament for Nigel Farage's 'March to Leave' in London, Britain, 29 March 2019. MPs rejected Prime Minister's May EU withdrawal agreement earlier in the day. EPA/NEIL HALL NEIL HALL EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter sips a can of Stella in protests outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Dedicated anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray and likewise pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane go head to head near the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit marching band in Parliament Square Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Remain supporters wave EU flags from a bus in Parliament Square PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter shouts slogans outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside of the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside of the Houses of Parliament REUTERS Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit flag is waved in Parliament Square AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The March to Leave nears the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit protester holds a sign outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters carry the coffin of democracy AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters march outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters take part in the March to Leave protest in London PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter holds a sign outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A man holds satirical paintings of politicians Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit An pro-Brexit float on the March to Leave march in London Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Tommy Robinson supporter arrives at the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A jogger gestures rudely at a Brexit supporter outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament PA

The prime minister will make a fresh bid to secure a breakthrough this week when cross-party talks with Labour come to a head. The government is also expected to seek new talks with the EU to determine whether compromises discussed during talks with Jeremy Corbyn’s party be acceptable to leaders in Brussels.

But with senior figures in both parties playing down the prospect of an agreement, the deadlock looks set to continue.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “This government has taken action to ensure we build an economy that works for everyone. This has included investing record amounts in public services, including £2.8bn more for the NHS and £1.3bn more for schools. We have doubled free childcare, frozen fuel duty, cut stamp duty for 95 per cent of first-time buyers and increased the National Living Wage and tax-free Personal Allowance.

“We are delivering on issues people care most about. We have introduced world-leading legislation to cut the gender pay gap, launched the government’s first ever 25 year environment action plan, the first ever Race Disparity audit and are putting a legal duty of care on internet companies to keep people safe.”

Supporters of a second Brexit referendum said the finding highlighted the need to give the public another vote.

Labour MP Stephen Doughty said: “Thousands of hours of political energy that could have been spent on challenges like climate change – and billions of pounds of taxpayers money that could have been spent on schools, hospitals and police – are being shamefully wasted by this Brexit chaos.