THERE are fears that the transfer of control the controversial ‘bedroom tax’ from Westminster to Cardiff could be unaffordable and expose the scale of poverty in Wales.

The findings are among key themes emerging in a ‘crowd sourced’ debate on power which aims to "reach beyond the political elite to give a voice to ordinary people".

The online ‘constitutional convention’ - run by the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) - is engaging in a national debate on the powers Wales wants via a special website and social media.

Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled the UK Government’s thinking on the future of devolution in Wales in the St David’s Day agreement today.

But part way through the eight-week exercise from the IWA, discontent over UK policies like the ‘spare room subsidy’ cutting benefits is fuelling calls for a different way in Wales.

Statistics show that ‘bedroom tax’ has had a greater impact in Wales than in other parts of the UK. The average reduction in housing benefits for the 20.4 per cent of tenants affected is £781.04 a year.

Paul Chaney, a reader in public policy at Cardiff University School of Social Sciences argues that that Welsh Government should have powers over welfare.

Analysis concluded the UK coalition government’s welfare reforms cut total benefit and tax credit entitlements in Wales by around £520m or £590m if Universal Credit is excluded, he said.

“Against this backdrop, successive Welsh Governments have espoused a more expansive vision of welfare, generally eschewed private sector involvement in service delivery and used existing powers imaginatively in areas allied to social security/ welfare.

“Examples include ‘piggybacking’ labour force training grants on eligibility for welfare payments; student finance/ HE grants to poorer households and affordable housing schemes explicitly framed as being to counter the “bedroom tax”.

“In addition, from 2016 onward the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 will see significant divergence in social care policy compared to elsewhere in the UK.

“Such developments raise the question why shouldn’t this be formalised? Why shouldn’t parties have broader scope to promise more expansive welfare provision in Wales (or resist cuts imposed by Westminster) should they obtain a mandate in Assembly elections?”

But former Labour MP and Welsh Minister Jon Owen Jones has spoken out to say he is wary of the implications of such reforms. “Would we do better if welfare powers were held in Cardiff? I doubt it. Mainly because we need English taxpayers to fund much of the costs and I worry that they may stop doing so," he said.

“Overall the balance of argument is to me very clear. Big risk versus very small and debatable gain.”

Lee Waters, director of the Institute of Welsh Affairs, said: “There is little, or no, appetite to devolve powers over the Welfare State to Wales.

“But there is support from within Labour and Plaid Cymru to withdraw the so-called 'Bedroom Tax', or 'Spare Room Subsidy' depending on your point of view.

“Given that Wales is disproportionately impacted by this welfare policy, and Scotland is to get powers to reform it. What good arguments are there for Wales to reject additional powers in this area?”

The eight week online discussion began on January 26, 'seeking ideas to create a more prosperous and fairer Wales'.

To take part go to http://iwaconvention.co.uk/ or respond via Twitter @iwa_wales or #iwaconvention