Los Angeles could become largest US city to trial universal basic income

• $1,000-a-month per family pilot program in new budget
• Stockton, Oakland and San Francisco have similar schemes

Los Angeles may soon become the largest city in the US to introduce a universal basic income (UBI) program, joining its neighbors to the north - including Stockton, Oakland and San Francisco - in offering some residents a monthly cash boost with no strings attached.

The $24m LA program, introduced as part of Mayor Eric Garcetti's budget proposal, released on Tuesday, would provide $1,000 a month to 2,000 families for a year if passed by the city council. Like most other UBI plans, those given the funds can use the money however they please.