Ministers have pledged to look at “additional measures” to support the regional press after being taken to task on the matter by Labour.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Labour MP for Slough, called for more help for the industry in the House of Commons, claiming such pleas had “fallen on deaf ears”.

In July, cross-party calls were made by MPs to give local newspapers greater economic protection after pressure from editors.

Mr Dhesi, pictured, raised the matter Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Questions on Thursday.

He said: “We in Slough are fortunate to have two brilliant local newspapers, the Slough Express and the Slough Observer, which play a vital role in our local democracy and ensuring that the good people of Slough are well informed with reliable and accurate news reporting.

“But like many of their counterparts across our country, local journalism is under threat.

“Their trade body, News Media Association, has repeatedly called for business rates relief but those calls seem to have fallen on deaf ears, and the National Union of Journalists has proposed a detailed news recovery plan to ensure that the survival of excellent journalism is there for all of us.

“So can the minister advise, before we lose even more valued local newspapers, when will the Government finally listen to and support this important sector?”

In response, Minister of State for Media and Data John Whittingdale: “I have no doubt that the newspapers in the honourable gentleman’s constituency are doing an excellent job and I have had a number of conversations with the News Media Association and other publishing organisations.

“The government has extended the £1,500 business rates relief for local newspaper offices, but obviously we will continue to look at what additional measures we can take to support newspapers.”