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A partially paralysed man with part of his head missing who was told he was fit for work by the government has had the assessment overturned on appeal.

Kenny Bailey, who is waiting to have a metal plate inserted to reshape his skull and protect his brain, had his benefits slashed by the Department for Work and Pensions earlier this month.

The father of two's story sparked outrage when it was revealed by the Mirror .

DWP cut his employment support allowance (ESA), which he uses to pay his bills, following a medical examination.

He was told he would lose £156 per fortnight, and would receive £470 every four weeks, his Personal Independence Payment which helps with some of the costs of long-term ill health.

Kenny, 50, suffered a massive stroke, leaving him paralysed down one side of his body, and with severe memory problems.

Read more:DWP disabled benefits hotline crashes all day affecting 'thousands' of calls

He told the Mirror he would 'love' to return to his career as a carer, but said his injuries had left him with severe mobility difficulties.

He was deemed 'fit for work' after a DWP test in April.

The test found he could 'walk 200 yards unaided' and 'get up from his chair', so his benefit payments were stopped.

He told the Mirror: "The money is used to pay my bills and to buy my food.

"Now I am worried I won't be able to survive and will lose my home."

But today he was told the decision to take away his EMA had been overturned.

Kenny's MP, Labour's Michael Dugher said: "I called on the Government to reverse their shocking decision to declare my constituent Kenny Bailey 'fit for work' and it's welcome that they finally reversed it.

"But it should never have happened in the first place. And it's a sign of a wider problem in that the most vulnerable people can be treated in such an appalling way."

When the Mirror first published the story, a DWP spokesperson said: "Work Capability Assessments help ensure that people get the level of support they need, rather than just writing them off on sickness benefits as happened in the past.

"The decision on whether someone is well enough to work is taken following a thorough independent assessment, and after consideration of all the supporting evidence from the claimant's GP or medical specialist.

"A claimant who disagrees with the outcome of their assessment can appeal."

They added today: “Decisions are based on the medical evidence provided. Mr Bailey has given us more details of his medical history, and has now been found eligible for the benefit.”