ltd = “your own company” ie you set up a company and use all the loop holes to dodge tax and stamp and recieve grants etc. fine if you can escape back to another country when the taxman catches up. I belive that most agencys have an accountant you can use for a fee.
Umbrella = a scam agencys use to rip off the workers by charging them x amount a week to be paid and charge them the employers stamp as well as thier own. Usually registered oerseas so the tax man doesnt get the money. They will claim they pay you extra to cover the extra cost and roll in your holliday pay as part of your hourly rate. You can opt to have your holliday pay put aside so you hae somthing when you take holliday but you will pay tax and stamp on it twice if you do that. Also your holliday entitlement will be worked out at so many hours per day not what you work. Dont be seduced by the higher rate 999/1000 you will be worse off by the time you have paid all the extras.
paye= the good old days pay tax and stamp on what you earn as you earn it. holliday pay is calculated per contract usualy baised on hours worked if paid hourly
maybe a slightly biased view but im sure you get the drift