Claire Enders, the founder and chief executive of Enders Analysis, told a hearing of the Commons culture, media and sport select committee today that "many titles" were already losing money and being sustained by beneficent publishers.

"We are expecting that up to half of all the 1,300 titles will close in the next five years," Ms Enders told the committee.

"Many titles are loss-making and are being sustained by the good graces of their owners. That may not last."

Ms Enders' comments are likely to be viewed by regional publishers as somewhat contentious.

Recent half-yearly results suggest that most regional newspaper operations remain profitable, even though profit margins are dramatically down from the levels of two or three years ago.

Questioned about the future of newspapers at the same hearing, Johnston Press chairman John Fry said: "The bulk will remain but there will be casualties."

But Trinity Mirror chief executive Sly Bailey said it was "impossible to say" whether Ms Enders' prediction would prove correct.

The committee hearing comes on the day of the Digital Britain report due to be published this afternoon.

Ms Bailey said she hoped the report would contain recommendations on the relaxation of media merger rules, saying: "The recession will do for us if we are not allowed to consolidate."