Launching his mayoral election manifesto, Paddick said banks would directly provide part of the funding for the hubs, with a “five-star fund” from a voluntary £1 levy on hotel stays in London, providing additional money.
The fund would come to “at least £10m”, with the hubs, open seven days a week and in the evenings, offering young people a place to socialise and receive advice and support.
“We want to give young people a positive alternative to gangs,” Paddick said.
The manifesto also outlined plans to ensure “all jobless young Londoners who want to are productively engaged in work or in learning linked to a genuine job opportunity”.
“Young Londoners are especially hard hit by the current economic difficulties,” the manifesto states.
“We will develop a Youth Contract for London, building on national government help for the 55,000 18- to 24-year-olds in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance and the 18,000 16- to 17-year-olds who are not in employment, education or training.
“This means bringing together employers’ organisations, higher and further education providers, and central, regional and local government agencies, as well as the young people themselves, to tackle this crisis.”
The manifesto also pledges to involve children and young people in decision-making that affects them, and the production of an annual report on progress on “improving the life chances of young Londoners”.
Conservative candidate Boris Johnson has said he will introduce a police taskforce to tackle gangs if re-elected, with Labour candidate Ken Livingstone pledging to reinstate safer neighbourhood police sergeants.
