News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A partially paralysed man with part of his head missing has been told he is fit for work by the government.

Kenny Bailey, who is waiting to have a metal plate inserted to reshape his skull and protect his brain, had his benefits slashed this week.

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

An ambulance was delayed in getting to him, with a third of his skull removed to ease pressure on his brain.

But the Dept of Work Pensions cut his employment and support allowance - which he uses to pay his bills - following a medical examination.

He has lost £156 per fortnight, and will get £470 every four weeks, his Personal Independent Payment.

Kenny, 50, a former carer, would 'love' to go back to work, but said his injuries have left him with severe mobility difficulties.

"After my operation following the stroke, I was left with my head looking the way it does," he explained.

Read more:

"I'm waiting for another operation to have a titanium plate fitted which will hopefully make it look more normal," he continued.

"I hate how I look. I'm so self conscious. I feel as though people are always staring at me.

"So to get this verdict that I'm fit to work is just another blow. I want to work, but I'm physically incapable.

"I'd love to live a normal life again - there's nothing that would make me happier.

"I have some use in my right hand and that's about it. I can't play with my own daughter which breaks my absolutely breaks my heart."

He is furious at the benefit cuts, adding: "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."

Kenny, of Barnsley, South Yorks., suffered the life threatening stroke in June 2014 and has been unable to work since.

But he was deemed him fit for a job following the DWP test last month.

He said: "Because I can use my right side, they are saying I am fit for work. I cannot use my left side, my left arm, I have got a bad limp and I cannot concentrate.

"I have to write all of my doctor's appointments down because I can never remember them. I live in a specially adapted bungalow as my mobility is so poor.

"It is not fair, they are picking on the disabled again. I am going to appeal this decision."

Kenny, separated from wife, Emma, still has regular contact with his two children Morgan, seven and two year-old Mia.

The only other benefit which Kenny receives is the personal independence payment - which helps with some of the costs of long-term ill health.

Read more:

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

The DWP also noted that his mother told them he had 'gone to the shops' when they called.

Their spokesman added: "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."