The Press Complaints Commission must be given greater powers to seek fines from offending newspapers, MPs will warn today.

In its long-awaited report, the culture, media and sport select committee will also urge the regulatory body to investigate issues of public concern over press coverage, even if no complaints have been received.

The report will say that the PCC is "ineffective" and lacks accountability and will call for penalties, including fines, for newspapers that break the commission's rules.

It will also call for regular reports from the PCC's new chairman, Sir Christopher Meyer, so it can judge whether enough is being done to reduce abuses.