"We've got an absolutely desperate need and people in this country are really suffering because of the lack of social care.

"Its unjustifiable to ask people to pay more tax while we are giving money away in overseas aid, particularly when so much of it gets wasted. I believe its an absolute scandal and charity should begin at home."

His colleague Peter Bone added: "Most people would think it was better to spend money in this country looking after the frail and elderly.

"I would think 85 per cent of the nation would support taking money from the foreign aid budget and using it for social care. I think it is ludicrous to say we can't pay the money when we can find lots of money going on overseas projects the EU determines."

The UK's foreign aid budget is over £12billion and the Government expects to raise around £382million through the social care precept added to council tax bills in 2016/17.

But Downing Street raised concerns on Monday that some councils are not doing enough to deliver social care efficiently and warned money is not the only answer.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said that while many councils are providing good social care services within existing budgets, many are failing.