Written By Emdua on Rabu, 19 September 2012 | 22.43
19 September 2012Last updated at10:49 ET
A woman whose body was found in a burning car in Somerset was likely to have been killed earlier and then placed in the car, police have said.
Catherine Wells-Burr was found in her red Ford Focus near the A358 in Ashill near Ilminster, Somerset, on 12 September at about 06:30 BST.
Det Ch Insp Simon Crisp said police believed she was killed hours before.
Ms Wells-Burr's boyfriend Rafal Nowak, 31, is one of two people have been charged with conspiring to murder her.
Mr Nowak, of Willow Way, Chard, appeared before Bristol Magistrates' Court earlier.
Business analyst
He has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear before Bristol Crown Court on 9 October.
Speaking outside court, Det Ch Insp Crisp, said: "We are in possession of information that leads us to strongly suspect that Catherine didn't die in the fire.
"We believe she was murdered in the early hours of last Wednesday morning and she was transported to the scene of the fire, which was lit at about 6am.
"We are really keen to speak to anybody who may have seen Catherine's car, which was also transported at the same time.
"We think potentially that car was in the company of another vehicle around the Chard area in the very early hours, travelling around Chard along the A358 to Ashill."
Mr Crisp added that a police operation to speak to motorists along the A358, one week on from when Miss Wells-Burr's blazing car was discovered, had unearthed "new lines of inquiry".
Anna Julia Lagwinowicz, 32, has also been charged with conspiring to murder the Bath Spa University graduate. A 38-year-old man remains in police custody.
Ms Lagwinowicz was remanded in custody by magistrates in Bristol on Tuesday. She will appear next at the city's crown court.
Ms Wells-Burr worked as a business analyst in Numatic International in Chard.
Detectives probing payments to public officials have arrested two journalists from the Sun and a serving policeman.
Two men, aged 32, from south London, and 51 and from Bristol, are being questioned over claims of conspiracy to corrupt and cause misconduct.
A 39-year-old with the Wiltshire force was held at his home in the county on suspicion of misconduct and conspiracy.
Some 50 people have so far been interviewed by Scotland Yard officers working on Operation Elveden.
The inquiry is investigating allegations of inappropriate payments to police and public officials, and runs alongside Operation Weeting, the probe into phone hacking.
Scotland Yard said the arrests were the result of information provided by News Corporation's management standards committee, which was set up in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.
A spokesperson said they "relate to suspected payments to a public official and suspected disclosure of confidential information by a police officer and are not about seeking journalists to reveal confidential sources in relation to information that has been obtained legitimately".
The Sun's publishers, News Corporation's News International unit, confirmed that the two arrested journalists work for the newspaper, but did not disclose further details.
A man suspected of killing two PCs in Greater Manchester was on bail over a fatal pub shooting, police have confirmed.
Nicola Hughes, 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, were killed in a gun and grenade attack after apparently being lured to Mottram by a hoax burglary report.
Dale Cregan is being held on suspicion of their murders and two others.
In June, Mr Cregan, 29, was questioned over the shooting of Mark Short in a Manchester pub and released on bail.
Detectives are continuing to question Mr Cregan, previously described as Manchester's most wanted man, over the deaths of PCs Hughes and Bone.
The police constables had been sent to investigate what appeared to be a routine burglary report in Abbey Gardens, Mottram, on Tuesday morning when they were attacked with a gun and grenade.
The silence was held by officers and staff in memory of their colleagues
Greater Manchester Police said it appeared they had been deliberately "drawn" to the scene.
A minute's silence for the officers was held earlier.
In a statement, Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said there had been insufficient evidence available to charge Mr Cregan over the pub shooting and he had to be released.
Mark Short, 23, was shot dead at the Cotton Tree pub in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, on 25 May. In June, Mr Cregan was arrested in connection with this death.
Sir Peter said: "It is absolutely normal in complex crime inquiries that when people are arrested there are occasions where there is insufficient evidence available for them to be charged.
Continue reading the main story
At the scene
Ed ThomasNorth of England Correspondent, BBC News
At exactly 11am the message across Greater Manchester Police radios was "can all officers stand by and observe a minute's silence".
Inside the police HQ it was a chance to pause and reflect on the deaths of their colleagues PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone.
How many officers like them will be called out to routine jobs today?
There is though a sense here that yesterday's grief is now turning to determination.
GMP's Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said he wants to bring each and every person involved to justice.
There are many questions the force must now answer as it investigates the deaths of the two officers and David and Mark Short.
Questions like where has Dale Cregan been for the past eight weeks? Who, if anyone has been helping him avoid the several hundred police officers and support staff trying to find him?
There must be support too for the officers who have been trying to find Mr Cregan. They are said to be shattered at how this manhunt ended.
The police authority here says it will do all it can to help them as officers try to understand what happened in a community they try to protect.
"In those circumstances suspects have to be released on bail as there are strict time limits covering how long suspects can be held in custody without charge.
"That is exactly what happened in this case."
Mr Cregan was arrested when he walked into Hyde police station a short time after the shooting in Mottram on Tuesday.
Sir Peter said he believed he had been "protected by a criminal conspiracy to harbour him".
Two people from the Abbey Gardens house, a man and a woman, continue to be questioned.
Home Secretary Theresa May is cutting her holiday short to travel to Manchester for a meeting with the chief constable.
The Queen has paid tribute to the two murdered police officers.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester released a letter she had written to Sir Peter.
The Lord-Lieutenant's office said: "In a letter to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Sir Peter Fahy, Her Majesty expressed her sincere condolences to the families of PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone at the tragic loss of their lives."
Sir Peter has said Tuesday was one of the "darkest days" in the history of the police service.
Describing the killings, he said it was "absolutely devastating... it felt like just a nightmare yesterday... that we hoped we'd wake up from but of course we didn't".
He said PC Bone, originally from Castle Donington, Leicestershire, had been a "calm, gentle woman", an "excellent bobby" and had been in the middle of planning her wedding.
She moved with her family to the Isle of Man in 1997, before studying for a degree at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.
The chief constable paid tribute to PC Hughes, from Oldham, describing her as a "chatterbox" and a "great bobby" who was always smiling.
PC Hughes's family paid tribute to their "beautiful child", who loved her job as a police officer.
Friend: PC Fiona Bone "enjoyed her job 100%"
"Nicola always wanted to make a difference and, in doing so, she made such a big difference to everyone she knew. She cared about everyone, especially her colleagues."
Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said Tuesday had been "the hardest and most upsetting day" of his career.
"I want to publicly thank those who have taken time out to pay tribute to Fiona and Nicola and pass on their kind words of support, love and condolence," he said.
"Two hard-working and brave young women did not go home to their loved ones as a result of a calculated and malicious plan.
"We are determined to bring each and every person involved in this incident to justice."
PC Bone's father Paul has called for the death penalty for anyone convicted of murdering a police officer.
The incident has prompted renewed calls for the routine arming of police.
But Sir Peter said his force believed "passionately" that officers should remain unarmed, despite the tragedy.
Continue reading the main story
Dale Cregan
Police first released details of Dale Cregan after a grenade attack which killed David Short on 10 August.
The attack was caught on CCTV showing two hooded figures throwing a device at a house in Clayton, causing an explosion.
Police responded and discovered Mr Short, 46, with fatal injuries.
Greater Manchester Police then took the unusual step of naming Dale Cregan, 29, from Droylsden - who has one eye - and releasing his photograph.
But David Short was not the first member of his family to die in violent circumstances.
Police said they wanted to question Mr Cregan over the murder of David Short's son Mark, who was shot in the neck at the Cotton Tree Inn in Droylsden.
A major manhunt was launched to find Mr Cregan involving hundreds of officers.
That hunt ended when Mr Cregan walked into a police station in Hyde following the death of two unarmed female police officers.
Association of Chief Police Officers president Sir Hugh Orde also warned against a rush to routinely arm officers.
"You only have to look at the American experience. Many colleagues in America are lost without even drawing their gun at close ranges," he said.
The Greater Manchester force has opened a book of condolence for the dead policewomen on its website.
Police said 2,600 messages had already been left, many from fellow officers from forces across the UK.
A book of condolence has also been opened at Hyde Town Hall.
Officers and staff at Greater Manchester Police headquarters held a minute's silence to remember the officers.
About 100 people attended a service in St Barnabas Church, Hyde, earlier during which a candle for each officer was lit at the altar.
Manchester United announced its players would wear black armbands during their Champions League match against Galatasaray at Old Trafford later, as a mark of respect.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two young policewomen protecting our community.
"Fiona and Nicola were highly valued members of Greater Manchester Police and the local community.
"Our thoughts and prayers are now with their families and friends at this devastatingly sad time."
Mr Cregan had been the subject of a huge manhunt after the murder of David Short, 46, Mark Short's father. A £50,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
On 10 August, David Short was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, after describing his son's killers as cowards. He was found dead after an explosion was heard.
Four men have already been charged in connection with Mark Short's murder and are due to enter pleas at Manchester Crown Court in November.
A 33-year-old man and a 24-year-old man have been charged with the murder of David Short.
Mr Cregan is now being questioned about the deaths of David and Mark Short, as well as the murders of the two police officers.
Emma Rice pays tribute to her father Noel Spence and her two brothers Nevin and Graham who died in a farming tragedy (audio only).
Three members of the Spence family who died in a farming accident in County Down have been described at their funeral as "best friends".
Emma Rice was speaking during a service for her father Noel Spence, 58, and her brothers Ulster rugby player Nevin, 22 and Graham, 30.
They were overcome by slurry gas at their farm in Hillsborough on Saturday.
Among the mourners were figures from the farming and sporting communities.
'Superstar'
Mrs Rice, who survived the accident, told mourners at Ballynahinch Baptist Church her father and brothers were "gentlemen".
"They were hardworking men. They were not perfect but they were genuine. They were best friends.
She said her brother, "wee Nev", was sarcastically nicknamed "the superstar" at home.
"He's the one who did not love the limelight, but handled it like a pro," she said.
Emma said her older brother, Graham, "protected me as I grew up".
Reverend Rodney Stout told mourners that Noel Spence had been a committed Christian, adding that he was "a very generous man, a man of true grit."
He said it would be "difficult to find a more hospitable neighbour or trustworthy businessman".
Graham Spence was described as having left a "wonderful legacy of memories" for his family.
Rev Stout said Graham, like his father, was a "gentle giant" who "didn't do anything out of a showy or boastful way".
Rev Stout said Graham was "unashamedly Nevin's biggest fan, and right behind his younger brother offering support".
Nevin Spence was considered to be one of the up-and-coming stars of the Ulster rugby team.
A tribute was read out on behalf of the director of Ulster Rugby, David Humphreys.
It said Nevin was "highly skilled and gifted, utterly committed to Ulster, determined to be the best that he could be".
Team jersey
"I have no doubt he could have gone on to play for Ireland," said Mr Humphreys.
The mourners included the President of the Ulster Farmers' Union, Harry Sinclair, and the entire Ulster rugby team.
Nevin's coffin, which was draped in his team jersey, was carried into the church by six of his team-mates.
Former Ireland international rugby player Trevor Ringland was also present.
A number of politicians attended the service, including SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt and the DUP ministers Arlene Foster and Edwin Poots.
Mourners were given blank cards in the church in order to write personal messages to the Spence family, to act as a "lasting testimony" to the three men.
The accident at the farm on Drumlough Road in Hillsborough is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).
A book of condolence has been opened at Ravenhill rugby ground in east Belfast, and Ulster's Pro12 match against Italian club Zebre on Friday has been postponed as a mark of respect to the Spence family.
A private service for the three men took place at the family home on Wednesday morning.
The family said the men had died while trying to save each other.
The Danish weekly Se og Hoer has said it plans to publish photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge sunbathing topless in its Thursday edition.
Editor-in-chief Kim Henningsen said the pictures of Prince William's wife Catherine will appear in a special supplement, to show Denmark "what these photos are all about."
The pictures have so far been published in France, Italy, and Ireland.
St James's Palace said "proportionate responses were under review".
News of the Danish magazine's decision emerged as Prince William and his wife returned to the UK from a nine-day Diamond Jubilee tour of south-east Asia and the South Pacific.
On Tuesday, a Paris court banned future publication of the photos in France, ordering French magazine Closer to hand over the originals.
'Particularly intrusive'
The photographs were taken while the duchess was sunbathing on a private holiday with her husband at the French chateau of the Queen's nephew, Lord Linley, in Provence, earlier this month.
Continue reading the main story
Emma LynchBBC News picture desk
The French court might have stopped Closer from publishing the topless pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge in France - but that didn't stop them surfacing again in Denmark.
That's because it's the photographer who owns copyright of their photos, unless they are employed by a company which has asked them to take the photo, or there's an agreement to assign the copyright to someone else.
So it's the copyright owner who grants permission for the photograph to be used.
Payment to use the photograph does not constitute transfer of ownership of the copyright, but merely permits an agreed use.
If the photographer hasn't granted an exclusive licence to a particular company or organisation, they are within their rights to licence their work to others.
No British newspaper has printed the pictures.
A statement on the Danish publication's website on Wednesday said: "Se og Hoer has exclusively (in Denmark) obtained the pictures of the topless Duchess of Cambridge, Kate.
"Tomorrow we will publish a 16-page spread full of piquant photos of England's future queen."
A St James's Palace spokesperson said: "As we've said, we will not be commenting on potential legal action concerning the alleged intended publication of the photos save to say that all proportionate responses will be kept under review."
The sunbathing pictures ran in Closer on Friday before appearing elsewhere.
Its editor Laurence Pieau defended the publication, insisting the photos were not in the least bit shocking, and suggested that she has more intimate photos not yet published.
But in its ruling on Tuesday, a French court described the pictures as a "brutal display" of the couple's private lives.
It added: "These snapshots which showed the intimacy of a couple, partially naked on the terrace of a private home, surrounded by a park several hundred metres from a public road, and being able to legitimately assume that they are protected from passers-by, are by nature particularly intrusive."
Royal officials said its decision was welcomed by the duke and duchess, who had "always believed the law had been broken" and they were entitled to their privacy.
Following the ruling in the civil case, prosecutors are considering whether there are grounds for criminal charges.
Elsewhere, the editor of the Irish Daily Star, Michael O'Kane, has been suspended after publishing the topless photographs on Saturday.
And the Italian gossip magazine Chi also printed a special edition featuring more than 20 pages of the photographs.
Chi's editor Alfonso Signorini said: "The fact that these are the future rulers of England makes the article more interesting and topical."
Closer and Chi are both part of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Mondadori media group.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have opened a new wing at the Headley Court military rehabilitation unit in Surrey.
The couple officially unveiled the £16.9m Jubilee Rehabilitation Complex at the centre near Leatherhead.
It has a therapy building, radiology department and a flat where patients can learn to live independently.
Prince Charles and Camilla also met injured servicemen and women who are being treated at Headley Court.
Staff and crowds of children waved flags and cheered as the royal couple made their way round the grounds of the centre.
The official opening on Wednesday was also attended by armed forces personnel and veterans who competed in the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Continue reading the main story
Headley Court was originally developed as a rehabilitation centre for aircrew and officers following World War II
It opened its doors to personnel of all ranks and services in 1984
The centre currently employs about 400 members of staff, both civilian and military
It has four gyms, a swimming pool, a hydrotherapy pool and a gait analysis laboratory
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is fully funding the wing, which also includes a second prosthetics department, radiology department and an open-plan gym.
Headley Court Commanding Officer Gp Capt Clare Walton said: "On behalf of all the patients and staff at Headley Court I would like to thank their royal highnesses for officially opening the Jubilee Rehabilitation Complex.
"I know the new facilities will enable our staff to continue to provide the very best of care to our patients and to keep Headley Court at the forefront of rehabilitation and prosthetics."
In June 2010 Prince William opened the Help for Heroes Rehabilitation Complex at Headley Court, which contains a swimming pool and gym complex.
18 September 2012Last updated at19:37 ETBy Judith BurnsEducation reporter, BBC News
GCSE grade boundaries in some science exams were changed part-way through the year, exam board figures show.
Year 10 pupils who sat AQA board chemistry and biology modules in January needed up to 11 more marks to achieve an a A* grade than those who sat the same modules in June.
AQA said grade boundaries varied according to a paper's difficulty.
The news follows calls for a regrading of English GCSE, where grade boundaries were raised between January and June.
Less than 1% of AQA biology candidates achieved an A* in January's module exams, but more than 10% got the highest grade in June. In chemistry the figures were 2% in January but almost 12% in June.
The pupils affected were the first to take new tougher syllabuses in chemistry, biology and physics GCSEs introduced last September.
These qualifications are similar to previous GCSEs in that they are modular - but they are also designed to be more rigorous than previous versions.
Schools can decide whether to enter their pupils for module exams in January or June and the results count towards the final grade in year 11.
'Established feature'
A spokeswoman for AQA said: "The level of difficulty of exam papers can vary from one exam series to the next, so grade boundaries can vary depending on the demands of the assessment.
"As a result, grade boundaries vary between exam series, this is an established feature of the system and the variances are often greater when a qualification is new.
"There were differences between the numbers of candidates getting top grades in the January and June science units.
"This is because the candidates varied in ability at the same time as the exams varied in difficulty.
"So in biology and chemistry, the grade A boundaries were lower in June than in January and more students achieved a grade A."
Continue reading the main story
It appears to be the mirror image of what happened in GCSE English"
End QuoteJohn TownsleyHead teacher and former Ofqual board member
But some parents are unconvinced by this argument. Andy Copas, whose daughter took her year 10 exams in January, said : "Do they really think that in biology only one in 100 students in January were capable of an A* but in June 10 in 100 were capable of A*? And the same for the other subjects? The reason why there are more A*'s in June is because the grade boundaries were lower."
Mr Copas called for the modules to be regraded and added that at his daughter's school most students who re-sat the exams in June improved their grade.
"Same student, same ability, different outcome. It has to be the grade boundaries," he said.
Leeds head teacher John Townsley, a former board member of exams regulator Ofqual, said: "This dad has a got it absolutely right. It appears to be the mirror image of what happened in GCSE English. The awarding of higher grades in the early part of the year has been highly prudent, not to say mean spirited."
"If the marking in June had continued at the January, level there would have been a dramatic reduction in the number of high grades for that year. It appears that they significantly altered the grade boundary to ensure that the final results were not out of place with what happened in previous years.
"This approach significantly disadvantaged pupils who took the exams in January and significantly advantaged those who took the exams in June."
A spokesman for Ofqual said: "We are satisfied that AQA took the available statistical and candidate performance evidence into account when setting grade boundaries in January, and equally satisfied that they applied all due processes to arrive at appropriate grade boundaries in June.
"Variation on grade boundaries and the results seen in schools does not indicate improper practice on the part of the exam board. It reflects the differences in the papers and the performance of the students taking each unit.
"The GCSE science qualification was new, and was designed to be more challenging than the previous version. Therefore, Ofqual did not apply the 'comparable outcomes' approach in this case, but we closely monitored the standards being set by senior examiners."
Christine Blower of the National Union of Teachers commented: "Parents, carers, pupils and schools deserve to be treated fairly. It is obvious that there are serious issues at the very heart of the system. There urgently needs to be an independent inquiry into this matter now and for those examinations which have been affected by political tampering to be regraded."
An Edinburgh woman was among 12 people killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan on Tuesday, it has emerged.
Jeni Ayris, who was originally from Durban in South Africa, was the owner of former African cafe and deli, Ndebele, in the Scottish capital.
The 46-year-old had been in Kabul for 14 months and was due to return to Scotland on Friday.
It is thought the bombing was carried out in retaliation for an anti-Islamic film made in the United States.
The attack was carried out on a minibus carrying foreign workers near Afghanistan's airport.
Ms Ayris was the customer relations manager for aircraft charter company ACS/BalmOral.
Continue reading the main story
I was meant to meet her this Sunday in Edinburgh, but obviously that won't happen now"
End QuoteRichard KellettIsle of Mull
She previously ran Ndebele's in the Tollcross area of Edinburgh for 11 years before it closed in 2008. The cafe reportedly once fed Nelson Mandela.
In a statement, her friends and family described her as "a warm, kind and generous person with an everyday objective of helping everyone she met".
"She had a positive boundless energy which rubbed off on everyone, making her loss all the more hurtful," they said.
"Jeni leaves behind a sister who is her only family, as well as a huge number of friends across Scotland and the world - who are all absolutely devastated by her tragic death.
"Although born in South Africa, Jeni was a British citizen and her home was firmly rooted in Edinburgh where she had lived for the last 17 years."
The statement said she loved living in the UK and was "very passionate" about her life in Scotland.
It added: "Jeni was highly respected and valued in her job as a manager in the aviation sector, where she was responsible for the safe air travel of NGOs throughout Afghanistan.
"Her contribution was her practical way of helping Afghanistan move forward."
Friend Richard Kellett, from the Isle of Mull, said her sister had learned of her death in a call from her employers on Tuesday morning.
"I was meant to meet her this Sunday in Edinburgh, but obviously that won't happen now," he said.
"Her sister was told it was a roadside bomb, but it looked like a suicide attack.
"I believe they were on their way back from the airport to their compound when the attack happened.
"It has come as a real shock. I spoke to her about the risks, but this looked like an organised attack, which made it harder to plan for it."
In a statement, ACS/BalmOral said it was "deeply saddened" by the loss of its staff in Kabul.
"We are in the process of notifying the next of kin and our main focus now remains with the families of the innocent victims, who tragically lost their lives, our prayers and thoughts are with them, and all our staff remaining in Kabul," it said.
The British Embassy in Kabul expressed its "deepest sympathies" to the families and friends of those who died.
"Officials from the British Embassy in Kabul are liaising with the South Africans, the Afghan government and other partners and are providing consular assistance," it added.
South Africa's department of International Relations confirmed to the BBC Scotland news website that Ms Ayris had died in the bombing.
The government's youth contract is not enough to tackle the scale of youth unemployment, a group of MPs has said.
The youth contract provides £1bn for a range of schemes aimed at getting young people into work.
The Work and Pensions Select Committee said the contract was "a good start" but alone would not be enough to tackle the high level of youth unemployment.
Ministers said thousands of young people had already benefited from the contract and many more would in future.
Labour said the report showed the government should "change course fast".
The government's youth contract brings together £1bn of funding for a number of schemes, up until 2015, to help get young people into work.
'Black hole'
Measures include providing 160,000 employers with a "wage incentive" of £2,275 to take on an unemployed 18-24 year-olds, 250,000 work experience placements and additional support from Jobcentre Plus.
If all targets are met, the contract is expected to create an additional 430,000 work opportunities over the next three years.
Dame Anne Begg, chair of the committee, said she welcomed the contract, particularly the increased support from Jobcentre Plus advisers and the widening of work experience opportunities.
The committee also praised the creation of a scheme targeted at 16 and 17 year-olds who are not in education, employment or training - the majority of whom do not receive support from Jobcentre Plus because they are not eligible to claim Jobseekers Allowance.
Dame Anne told BBC Radio 4's The World at One the number of people the government was expecting to help through the contract was "very, very ambitious".
She said: "There's no doubt that the government is making real attempts to get young people into work and they've realised the importance of young people getting work as soon as possible.
Continue reading the main story
It's a bit of everything so I can see what stuff I enjoy and I can get little qualifications just to add on to my CV. After college I want to do an apprenticeship in body piercing"
End QuoteChloe TaylorStudent at Chichester College
"The part of the scheme that concentrates on 16 to 18 year olds is very welcome, because that's the group that very often are completely ignored. They fall into a black hole after they leave school.
"The difficulties are perhaps the volumes that they're expecting. It is very difficult to identify some of the people that might be helped on this."
'Wake-up call'
The committee said the government needed to widen its criteria for the scheme for 16 and 17 year-olds - which is currently only open to those with no GCSEs.
Dame Anne said: "There are lots of youngsters who might have one or two (GCSEs) but still have major barriers to work."
On wage incentives, the committee said their impact would be "only at the margins" and the government should keep under review the amount it pays employers.
More money may be needed in areas where youth unemployment is particularly high and to encourage the recruitment of disabled people and ethnic minorities.
The committee called for the government to simplify access for employers to the numerous schemes by setting up a dedicated telephone helpline for those who want to offer a job, training or work experience to young people.
Stephen Lloyd, a Lib Dem member of the committee, said: "The committee realises the youth contract is a serious attempt to deal with the current issues surrounding youth unemployment.
"During the committee's investigations we have highlighted some areas where improvements could be made and I am confident the coalition government will take our recommendations on board."
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "Thousands of young people have already benefited from measures in the Youth Contract and over the next three years the package will give hundreds of thousands more the chance to earn or learn.
"But we know the Youth Contract alone won't tackle youth unemployment. That's why the government is working tirelessly to create the conditions for businesses to grow and create more jobs, we're reforming the education system to make sure pupils are equipped to take up new jobs and we also need employers to take up the help we are offering and give young people a chance."
Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne said the report showed the government's plan for youth jobs "is failing and we need to change course fast".
He added: "This is now a very loud wake-up call, at a time when the country is in a double-dip recession made in Downing Street."
Ronan Dunne, chief executive of O2, said: "Today's report shows that the youth contract hasn't yet had the impact needed to tackle the level of UK youth unemployment.
"I believe that it's not only the businesses that have signed up to the youth contract who can act to help the one million unemployed young people, rather all businesses, big and small, have a role to play in supporting young people on their journey to work.
"This can be anything from offering quality work experience and apprenticeships through to mentoring."
The definition of domestic abuse has been widened so it covers forms of non-violent coercive behaviour and under-18s for the first time.
It means behaviour such as preventing partners from leaving the house or having access to a phone could lead to a prosecution.
It is hoped the broadened definition will increase awareness of what domestic abuse is and who suffers it.
The Home Office says more prosecutions could be brought as a result.
It also wants more youngsters to come forward and access the support they need - for example, speaking to someone about the abuse or contacting a helpline or a specialist service.
'Horrific'
The changes, which will be implemented in March 2013, follow calls from local authorities, police and voluntary organisations.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "These changes are about government taking a lead to help expose the true face of domestic violence, which is much more complex and much more widespread than people often realise.
"Suffering at the hands of people who are meant to care for you is horrific at any age. But it can be especially damaging for young people - the scars can last a lifetime.
"Campaigners, councils, the police - the people on the front line - have called for this new definition so that they can do their job and provide victims with the right support."
There is no specific criminal offence of domestic violence. Instead, a definition that refers to "incidents of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse" was adopted in 2004.
But ministers say that has led police and prosecutors to make too narrow an interpretation of the term and let some perpetrators off the hook.
Teenagers
Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of charity, the NSPCC said: "Domestic abuse it not just an issue for adults, but also for teenagers. ChildLine receives around 3,000 contacts a year from young people about this issue.
"Teenage years are difficult at the best of times but a lack of experience in relationships and issues with self-confidence can mean young people feel they have nowhere to turn.
"Many victims, as well as perpetrators, come from abusive homes themselves and therefore don't realise how wrong these kind of relationships are."
Chief Executive of 4Children Anne Longfield said the plans to broaden the definition of domestic violence would be welcomed throughout homes across the UK, as it acknowledges that violence towards a partner can often encompass a variety of harms beyond the physical.
"However, there should be concern that these proposals may not have gone far enough by failing to encompass violence between other members of a family.
"Domestic violence is too often seen as partner on partner, but it far more complex than that, and needs wider definition."
