The Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland has been criticised for occasionally trying to influence policy outside of its remit.

The Commons Scottish affairs committee also called for resources to be allocated by the body within the current devolution settlement.

In Tuesday's report, the MPs told the commission to focus on encouraging cohesion among immigrant communities rather than seeking to influence immigration policy, which was not a matter for a devolved institution.

The report recommended that the body should focus on collecting more comprehensive data on discrimination in Scotland.

And the committee called for the commission to publish a Scottish strategic plan to better prioritise its work.

Committee chairman Mohammad Sarwar MP noted that the body was a "relatively new" organisation and that MPs had been encouraged by its work so far.

"While our report raises some concerns regarding EHRC’s remit, it is clear that the organisation has the potential to make a significant contribution to how equality and human rights strategies fit the Scottish context, and we will continue to monitor progress as the Commission further develops its work," he said.

The report also called for EHRC Scotland to take up a developing need for legal advice in the equalities field with the Scottish Government.