A Coalition row escalated today over the “morality” of increasing Britain’s overseas aid while swingeing cuts are imposed at home.

Conservative grandee Lord Ashcroft attacked government plans for more international development aid, stressing it was time to turn off the “golden taps”.

In an open letter to new Overseas Aid Secretary Justine Greening, the former Tory deputy chairman said: “When libraries are being closed and people with disabilities face benefit cuts, there is growing fury over giving away ever-increasing sums to foreigners.”

The aid budget is set to jump from £7.8 billion in 2010 to £11.5 billion by 2015.

Ms Greening has already ordered a review of spending. But the Lib-Dems’ Sir Menzies Campbell said aid was “a moral obligation”.

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