UK prime minister Andy Burnham said on Friday the Labour government will limit
non-compete clauses in employment contracts to reduce waiting periods before
employees can change jobs or found companies. The move, framed as new hiring
legislation, responds to long-standing complaints from tech and AI startups that
restrictive covenants impede recruitment and innovation. Burnham said some firms
have gone too far with such practices, which he said constrain talent and
economic dynamism.