contract with agency

[pitu]

Hi,
I have an awkward status here in the UK, and I can ony work as a sole trader. As you may know agencies have issues with that. I've worked with 2 agencies that arranged me to have a direct contract with the client. Now this agency wants me to sign a contract with them, so that they would pay me. Is it safe to do that?

[TheFaQQer]

Nothing wrong with that really - as long as the agency has the facilities etc. to handle the payroll for you, and will pay on a decent schedule, and isn't charging you too much for the service.

You might be better off signing up with an umbrella company and use them instead - they are used to dealing with expenses etc. more than the agency might be.