A report by a Westminster committee on human rights has called for changes to the government's Troubles legacy bill.

Labour's proposed law was introduced to Parliament last year following agreement on a framework with the Irish government.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) said it was a "significant improvement" on the previous Conservative government's legislation, but there were "areas where it must be improved further".

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant said last month the government would be tabling amendments but insisted the plans were "full steam ahead".

The government has faced criticism over delays in passing the bill as well as questions over some of its contents.

It seeks to replace the contentious 2023 Legacy Act, which introduced a ban on inquests and civil actions related to Troubles-era incidents.

The new plan involves a Legacy Commission to investigate Troubles-related killings, a separate information recovery body, and a dedicated legacy unit within An Garda Síochána (Irish police).

A package of protections for military veterans has also been proposed by the government.

But some MPs say the measures do not go far enough, while Stormont's First Minister Michelle O'Neill has accused the government of giving former soldiers "preferential treatment".

The JCHR involves members from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

In their report, the committee acknowledged the "sincerely held concerns" of veterans and said the bill must ensure investigations are "fair to all those involved".

The report recommended the government should consider adding a requirement for the "consent of the Attorney General to prosecute any future Troubles-related offences".

"This approach could add an extra layer of assurance that there is accountability for prosecution decisions in this sensitive area," it added.

Among its recommendations, the report said decisions on the Legacy Commission disclosing "sensitive information" should rest with a judicial panel rather than the government.

Membership of the panel should be the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission instead of the secretary of state, the report added.

The committee found the definition of a deceased's "close family member" for accessing provisions under the Troubles Bill had been "drawn too narrowly" and should include grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

They also expressed concern over a "two-track approach" to a planned resumption of dozens of inquests halted under the previous legislation, saying that plans for some to be overseen by the commission and others by a coroner could result in "mistrust and division".

The report also said it was "not good enough that Westminster and the Northern Ireland Executive cannot even agree on who should be funding legacy matters".

It said the bill "will not be able to succeed" without adequate finances and ministers should "continue having dialogue to resolve the funding impasse".

Lord David Alton, chair of the committee, said: "This bill is an improvement on what came before it, but our report has found areas where it must be improved further.

"This isn't just about making sure the right legal and procedural frameworks are in place. It is about making sure it is in the best position to secure the confidence of those it impacts from the start and over the long-term."

Lord Alton added the "importance of getting this bill right cannot be understated".

"Time is running out for those still dealing with the legacy of the Troubles to find out what happened and hold people accountable. We cannot have further delay."

A UK government spokesperson said the bill is needed to "get answers for the families who lost their loved ones during the Troubles, including the relatives of veterans who were killed".

"To that end, the Government welcomes the scrutiny of the JCHR, and its recognition that the bill is a significant improvement on the failed Legacy Act.

"We will create a framework that commands greater public confidence, including bringing forward a significant package of amendments following extensive engagement with veterans."