Going permanent or freelance?

I had a meeting a few weeks ago and I was offered the chance to remain freelance and invoice directly or to become staff.

Now my initial thinking was to remain freelance and be able to invoice at a higher rate. However the benefit of being permanent is starting to play on my thinking.

Firstly my meeting was approx one month ago and as of today I am not further up the road.

More tittle tattle has come to light regard my (none) contract with my agent. It seems that there is a contract between the agent and the client that directly affects me and invoicing. I wouldnt have thought this was the case but alas I was very mistaken. It seems that there are time clauses that relate to the client or me paying them a sum of money. I am led to believe its in the region of 8%. Which in my weekly terms 4.1 weeks of pay. Or even longer if you subtract holiday /time off / sick pay. It could very well end up being 6 weeks owed. This is alot of money... A

My feelings on this are clear; why should I have to pick up the cost the contract ending? None. So! We arrive at the cross road! is the clients motivation to pay this sum Only to keep me...?!

I also feel 8% is alot of money for what is essentially a week contract! I also feel the client should negotiate a better contract with the agent over contract staff... But this is none of my business

I wonder if my none contract with the agent would stand up in court?

Anyway back to the point; with all this tittle tattle I am coming to the conclusion that going permanent is a more secure answer! As this affords me better insurances and mortgages etc

So, with this in mind I have instructed my accountant (today) to calculate the figure I should as for so i remain at my current renumeration... Taking in to account my travel costs, mobile phone and food.

Let's see what unfolds.