In the letter, Frost (pictured) pointed out that while the initiatives already announced were welcomed, the sector needs an extension of the measures announced to support hospitality and leisure industries to cover face to face businesses and continuing support for SMEs in the sector after the crisis.

"Unlike the entertainment and leisure industries, where demand can return rapidly, in our sector we are entirely dependent on the slower return of business confidence and projects can take up to three months to re- commission," she wrote. "If we lose qualified staff, the sector’s ability to deliver large scale social research so frequently needed by government will be compromised."

Last week, the MRS advised all accredited companies and individuals to stop face to face work based on the health and safety of the research work force and the public acceptability of continuing face to face research programmes.

Frost went on to write: "Our industry is the most successful market and social research sector in the world. We generate more per capita revenue than all other countries including the USA. The sector is the world leader in training and qualifications as well as publications.

"Now, more than ever, we need to understand all segments of British society to ensure that as a society we emerge well from this crisis. To do this, we need help to protect the research industry to continue to be the ear and voice of the nation."