Thursday, October 16, 2025

Can AI solve the asylum housing crisis?

 


I asked AI about international solutions that could also be applied to the asylum housing problem in the UK. 

The response has been included below. I wonder if there's potential for Canada, Germany and Sweden's models to work here? 

Tensions continue to increase over concerns about the cost, the impact on communities and public safety. 

It's hard to know how much the government actually understands or is addressing these problems as we're getting little information or communication. 

Funding it needs to be done responsibly and with due consideration of what the people of this country want. 

AI Response (Co-pilot)

Several international asylum housing strategies could be adapted effectively for the UK. Here are the most promising ones, tailored to Britain's context:

🇨🇦 Canada’s Private Sponsorship Model

  • How it works: Community groups, charities, or individuals sponsor asylum seekers, providing housing and support.

  • Why it fits the UK:

    • Britain has a strong civil society and charitable sector.

    • Could reduce pressure on government housing and foster community integration.

  • Implementation idea: Expand existing refugee sponsorship schemes to include asylum seekers, with government oversight and funding.

🇳🇱 Netherlands’ Mixed-Use Housing

  • How it works: Asylum seekers live alongside students and low-income residents in shared housing developments.

  • Why it fits the UK:

    • Promotes social cohesion and reduces stigma.

    • Could be piloted in university towns or urban regeneration zones.

  • Implementation idea: Partner with housing associations and universities to create inclusive housing hubs.

🇩🇪 Germany’s Modular Container Housing

  • How it works: Prefabricated housing units are deployed quickly in urban and suburban areas.

  • Why it fits the UK:

    • Addresses urgent housing shortages.

    • Can be scaled up rapidly and relocated as needed.

  • Implementation idea: Use brownfield sites or underused public land for modular housing villages.

🇸🇪 Sweden’s Municipal Quota System

  • How it works: Every municipality must accept a share of asylum seekers.

  • Why it fits the UK:

    • Prevents overburdening specific cities like London or Manchester.

    • Encourages national solidarity and fair distribution.

  • Implementation idea: Introduce a voluntary pilot program with incentives for councils that participate.

🇫🇷 France’s Use of Vacant Public Buildings

  • How it works: Repurposes unused government buildings for temporary housing.

  • Why it fits the UK:

    • The UK has thousands of vacant public properties.

    • Could be paired with renovation grants and NGO partnerships.

  • Implementation idea: Create a national inventory of unused buildings and fast-track conversion projects.

🇳🇿 New Zealand’s Wraparound Support in Public Housing

  • How it works: Refugees receive housing plus integrated services like healthcare, education, and job training.

  • Why it fits the UK:

    • Improves long-term outcomes and reduces dependency.

    • Aligns with NHS and council service networks.

  • Implementation idea: Designate specific public housing units for asylum seekers with embedded support teams.


Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Why I get frustrated with the NHS

Sometimes the NHS can be exceptional. Other times the standard of care is absolutely shocking. Both in the case of some of the junior doctors and senior consultants really do not deserve to be doctors. Pay rises - ha I say. You have got to be joking. Management should not be paid because you can only describe what is happening as complete incompetence. 

I appreciate the importance of free health care. I believe we need it. However we are paying for a service that needs a complete overhaul. 

We once said we were proud of these people but what they are delivering, not everyone, but many who should be banned from ever practising, who are walking law suits, almost deserve a special place in the deepest recesses of the burning centre well below ground. 

I am referring to a certain part of a certain hospital. I have been beyond disappointed and I am certain it is a systemic issue. 

We should have quality care despite staff and resource shortages. It's not just numbers. It's about basic human decency. 

Whether Sir Kier's plans to overhaul the NHS with online appointments actually addresses the heart of the problem and understands how the rot is spreading, well I wonder indeed. Read the comments for the YT video, and you see many also don't seem to think the ship is on course into the sunset. 

Rant and outrage over for now. Let's fix the NHS and do better if we don't want a broken Britain.