Jane Hutt, the Welsh government’s social justice minister, said that proposed changes to personal independence payments (Pip) “should be reviewed before any changes are made”.
She said the reforms had “caused significant concern here in Wales” diverting attention from proposed reforms “which could be positive”.
“The strength of feeling I have witnessed from disabled people and stakeholder organisations across Wales opposing the proposed changes to the PIP eligibility criteria has been overwhelming.”
“They have been concerned about not only for the disabled persons themselves but for their carers and families too”.
In a letter to UK Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, Hutt endorsed forecasts from Policy in Practice that nearly 190,000 people in Wales would be affected – or 6.1% of the population.
Hutt backed analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that ten of the top 30 Westminster constituencies have the highest proportion of working-age people in receipt of health related benefits.
It suggests changes will have a “disproportionate impact” in Wales, Ms Hutt said.