Britain is being kept in the dark about Brexit with the vast majority of people having little or no understanding of what the Government wants to achieve, a new poll has revealed.

The exclusive BMG Research survey for The Independent suggests around three-quarters of the public have little idea as to what Theresa May wants overall, but also specifically in relation to critical areas like trade and immigration.

There is acute confusion over the Government’s approach to the land border in Northern Ireland, ironically an issue supposed to have been settled already, which more than 80 per cent of the public said was “unclear”.

The results undermine repeated claims by ministers that the Government has a “clear plan for Brexit”, pointing instead to a deep lack of public understanding about Ms May’s ideas just months before the final deal is supposed to be agreed.

They are also likely to be leapt upon by MPs and campaigners pushing for the British public to be given a further say on the final Brexit deal, once they have an understanding of what it looks like.

The poll asked respondents to consider a series of different areas of the UK’s withdrawal negotiations and whether the Government’s plans are “clear or unclear”.

On “overall plans for Brexit” 74 per cent said Ms May’s plans were unclear (“not very”, 35 per cent, “not at all”, 39 per cent), while just 17 per cent said they were clear (“very”, three per cent, “somewhat”, 14 per cent).

Labour MPs have asked the NEC to let party members have a say on the approach to Brexit

Trade is the most important area of negotiations economically, but the poll suggested 74 per cent of the public are in the dark about what the Government is trying to achieve (”not very” clear 36 per cent, “not at all”, 38 per cent), while just 15 per cent thought it is clear (”very”, three per cent, somewhat, 12 per cent).

The poll pointed to a similar level lack of understanding over what Ms May is really gunning for in her future policy for immigration, which was the defining issue of the 2016 referendum on Britain’s membership.

Some 75 per cent said plans for post-Brexit immigration are unclear (“not very”, 36 per cent, “not at all”, 39 per cent), while just 14 per cent felt there were clear (“very”, three per cent, “somewhat”, 11 per cent).

At the EU Council Summit in December the Government agreed a settlement in principle to address “withdrawal issues”, including EU citizens’ rights and what will happen in regards to the land border in Northern Ireland.

But despite Ms May’s claims to have reached a deal, the BMG poll suggested the British public are none the wiser as to what it means.

In total, 82 per cent of those questioned said plans for the border are unclear (“not very”, 37 per cent, “not at all”, 44 per cent), while 18 per cent said they are clear (“very”, three per cent, “somewhat”, 15 per cent).

Brexit so far: in pictures Show all 53 1 /53 Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit campaign Boris Johnson led the VoteLeave campaign PA Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit campaign Boris Johnson MP, Labour MP Gisela Stuart and UKIP MP Douglas Carswell address the people of Stafford in Market Square during the Vote Leave Brexit Battle Bus tour on 17 May 2016. Their lead line on the tour was: “We send the EU £350 million a week, let's fund our NHS instead.” Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Voting day A man shelters from the rain as he arrives at a polling station in London on 23 June 2016. Millions of Britons voted in the referendum on whether to stay in or leave the European Union AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Referendum results Leader of Ukip, Nigel Farage, reacts at the Leave EU referendum party at Millbank Tower in central London as results indicated that it was likely the UK would leave the European Union AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Protesting the result A young couple painted as EU flags and a man with a sign reading “I’m not leaving” protest outside Downing Street against the voters decision to leave the EU on 24 June 2016 Getty Brexit so far: in pictures David Cameron resigns British Prime Minister David Cameron resigns on the steps of 10 Downing Street on 24 June 2016 after the results of the EU referendum were declared and the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Theresa May Becomes the new Conservative Party leader Theresa May receives a kiss from her husband Philip, after becoming the new Conservative Party leader on 11 July 2016. 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British Prime Minister Theresa May faced pressure to resign on 9 June 2017 after losing her parliamentary majority, plunging the country into uncertainty as Brexit talks loomed. 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The prime minister did not appear in parliament to see another defeat PA Brexit so far: in pictures Labour and Conservative MPs resign and create the Independent Group Back row of Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Chuka Umunna and Mike Gapes, middle row of Angela Smith, Luciana Berger and Ann Coffey and front row of Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry and Joan Ryan PA Brexit so far: in pictures Non-biding votes on amendments to Brexit motion On February 27 he house held a series of votes, unanimously calling for the UK and EU to guarantee citizens rights in a no-deal scenario AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Attorney General publishes legal advice A hammer blow for May as Geoffrey Cox said her renegotiated deal can still leave UK in backstop against its will. Mr Cox did say the prime minister’s efforts had reduced the risk of the UK being trapped in the backstop indefinitely. 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The Speaker said a further ‘meaningful vote’ would be ruled out of order if the motion was “the same or substantially the same’ – under an ancient convention to stop the government bullying parliament on issues MPs have rejected Parliament Live Brexit so far: in pictures May writes to Tusk The prime minister wrote to Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, to ask for a three-month extension to give her more time to try to get her deal through parliament. However the European Commission advises the EU27 should offer a short extension to May 23 or a longer one meaning the UK would participate in European elections 10 Downing Street/AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures European Council summit Theresa May’s request to extend triggering Article 50 until the end of June was rejected by the EU, and instead offered a shorter time frame. She accepted the offer of a delay until May 22 if her withdrawal deal is approved by Parliament. If MPs rejected it for a third time, the EU said Britain must propose a new plan by April 12. Ms May said she will not support a long delay because it would mean Britain participating in elections for the European Parliament Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Brussels confirms preparations for a no-deal Brexit are completed They warned that it is “increasingly likely” the UK will crash out. In a statement the European Commission (EC) said “preparedness and contingency work”, which the EC has been conducting since December 2017, was now finished. The announcement came days after EU leaders agreed to a request by Theresa May to extend the UK’s Brexit date AFP Brexit so far: in pictures May resigns British Prime Minister Theresa May reacts as she delivers a statement in London, Britain, May 24, 2019. REUTERS/Simon Dawson SIMON DAWSON Reuters

In relation to EU citizens’ rights, 62 per cent thought plans are unclear and a total of 25 per cent thought plans clear.

The last week has seen the Conservative Party tearing itself apart over what kind of customs arrangements the UK will have with the EU after Brexit.

Ms May’s spokesman answered questions about the Government’s stance by referring to options set out in a positioning paper past year.

It suggested that instead of the EU Customs Union, the Government wanted either a “highly streamlined customs arrangement” or a “customs partnership” – but almost two-thirds questioned in the poll said they failed to understand what the options meant, or the different between them.

Michel Barnier: Brexit transition deal 'not a given'

Some 62 per cent said: “I don’t understand these terms and the difference between them”, while 22 per cent said they did, and 17 per cent said they did not know.

Senior figures from across the political spectrum, including Nigel Farage, Peter Mandelson, Vince Cable and Michael Heseltine, have suggested the British public should be given another chance to vote on Brexit.

Remainers have long argued that the British public voted in the 2016 referendum without a full understanding of what Brexit would mean.

The polling now indicates that despite being a year and a half on from the referendum, people still do not by and large comprehend what Brexit will look like.

The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Show all 8 1 /8 The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Post-Brexit immigration workers sorting radishes on a production line at a farm in Norfolk. One possible post-Brexit immigration scheme could struggle to channel workers towards less attractive roles - while another may heighten the risk of labour exploitation, a new report warns. PA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Customs union A key point in the negotiations remains Britain's access to, or withdrawal from, the EU customs union. Since the referendum there has been hot debate over the meaning of Brexit: would it entail a full withdrawal from the existing agreement, known as hard Brexit, or the soft version in which we would remain part of a common customs area for most goods, as Turkey does? No 10 has so far insisted that “Brexit means Brexit” and that Britain will be leaving the customs union, but may be inclined to change its position once the potential risks to the UK’s economic outlook become clearer. Alamy The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Northern Ireland-Irish border Though progress was made last year, there has still been no solid agreement on whether there should be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To ensure borderless travel on the island, the countries must be in regulatory alignment and therefore adhere to the same rules as the customs union. In December, the Conservative Party’s coalition partners, the DUP, refused a draft agreement that would place the UK/EU border in the Irish Sea due to its potential to undermine the union. May has promised that would not be the case and has suggested that a “specific solution” would need to be found. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Transition period Despite protests from a small number of Conservative MPs, the Government and the EU are largely in agreement that a transitional period is needed after Brexit. The talks, however, have reached an impasse. Though May has agreed that the UK will continue to contribute to the EU budget until 2021, the PM wants to be able to select which laws made during this time the UK will have to adhere to. Chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the UK must adopt all of the laws passed during the transition, without any input from British ministers or MEPs. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Rights of EU citizens living the UK The Prime Minister has promised EU citizens already living in the UK the right to live and work here after Brexit, but the rights of those who arrive after Brexit day remains unclear. May insists that those who arrive during the transition period should not be allowed to stay, whereas the EU believe the cut-off point should be later. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreement (with the EU) Despite this being a key issue in negotiations, the Government has yet to lay out exactly what it wants from a trade deal with the EU. Infighting within the Cabinet has prevented a solid position from being reached, with some MPs content that "no deal is better than a bad deal" while others rally behind single market access. The EU has already confirmed that access to the single market would be impossible without the UK remaining in the customs union. Getty The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Future trade agreements (internationally) The Government has already begun trying to woo foreign leaders into prospective trade agreements, with various high profile state visits to China, India and Canada for May, and the now infamous invitation to US President Donald Trump to visit London. However the UK cannot make trade agreements with another country while it is still a member of the EU, and the potential loss of trade with the world's major powers is a source of anxiety for the PM. The EU has said the UK cannot secure trade deals during the transition period. EPA The biggest issues facing UK on leaving EU Financial services Banks in the UK will be hit hard regardless of the Brexit outcome. The EU has refused to give British banks passporting rights to trade within the EU, dashing hopes of a special City deal. However according to new reports Germany has suggested allowing trade on the condition that the UK continues paying into the EU budget even after the transition period. Getty

At the election, the Conservatives made a big play of promoting “Theresa May’s Clear Plan For Brexit” – saying that whoever becomes prime minster should be ready to start negotiating.

The very first item in the “12-point plan” was to “provide certainty and clarity”, but business groups, Tory and opposition politicians and the EU have constantly found themselves asking for more clarity about the Government’s position.

Last week the top figures in Ms May’s Cabinet failed to reach an agreement on how the Government should approach negotiations for a final deal, with further meeting expected in the weeks to come.

On Thursday, Japan’s ambassador to the UK Koji Tsuruoka said companies from his country that are operating in Britain badly needed “clarity and certainty”.