As one who has spent most of the last 24 years freelancing my suggestion to those contemplating a career change is take the Sole Trader approach. Get yourself registered with the Inland Revenue and the VAT people as self employed then you don`t need Employers Liability Insurance.
The IR can be a bit sniffy at times but if you do it right you should be OK. In my experience the problems mainly come from the company accounts department at your temporary workplace. The IR have a habit of putting the frightners on companies about the use of Freelancers - "we will come back and haunt you and make your life miserable with frequent tax audits if dare take anybody who is not on PAYE". Those with something to hide will want to freeze you out but when they are seriously short they will sell their own mothers for an extra driver. Well, the Chief Pilot would sell the accountant`s mother anyway.
Where there`s a will there`s a way.
G
