It contracts in the UK?

The UK is cut throat. If you are good and keep the client happy then you keep hold of your contract. If you have a specialised skill then work is easy to find.
As for Rates it depends on the agency and what you demand. An agency is there to make money and if they can charge you out at a lot and pay you a little then they make more money. If you know your market rate and hold to it then as stated before if you are good and can back it up with a good cv/references then the agency will get you the right rate even if they lower their margin (better 15% of something than 40% of nothing).

Depends on what the contract was. If it was a setup network and it took 1 month with handover and training on support then that is ok it shows quick efficient work. A number of support roles lasting 2 months at a time with no reason for the change is more difficult. Things always look better from a multiple short contract point of view if it was one company (yours) with multiple assignments so something like: Contratcted through XXX supplying required resource to multiple engagements over the period of 2 years doing support system design etc.

> So it is perhaps easier to get, but easier to "get fired"?
No - you don't "get fired" from a contract. Either you're crap and it lasts 2-3 weeks, or it will go until the end of the contract, usually the end of the project.

> Do a history of short contracts and periods without look less bad with UK eyes?
Doesn't matter. If you have the skills and can do the job, that's what matters.

> how do rates compare to Belgium?
Out of the game for too long, but they used to be fairly similar.
If you go to an interview, ASK THE CLIENT how much the agency have quoted you at. That's the best way of avoiding being ripped off by huge agency margins.

Dispite what J says it is very difficult and also against the agreement you sign normally to discuss rates direct with the client (agencies will soon ban you from their books if they find out). Yes contracting is a difficult market and not one to take without knowing the risks. I have been doing it for 20 years on and off. First impressions count. But it is a good way to make money, reduce tax liabilities, etc. As for the UK it is as competitive as anywhere else depending on your skill set (which you haven't mentioned). Have a look on jobserve and don't restrict your search just to the UK if you have the ability to be mobile then the world is your oyster as the saying goes.

> against the agreement you sign
Never signed anything before interview.
And the reason this clause is in is exactly so that agencies can hide their margins. If an agency is not ripping you off, they will be quite open about what their margin is. If they are, they will try to hide it.

Generally, agencies who try to rip people off are far more likely to lose business, and there is no such thing as a blacklist - clients use multiple agencies, and any past "history" is very quickly forgotten by an agent hungry for commission who sees a potential placement.

Oh - and when you get asked for references, give the name of previous agents. You can always say you had to sign something to protect client confidentiality. They are only touting for sales leads. Confidentiality should also be used for the "who else have you been put forward to" question. It's not so they "don't send your CV again", it's so they can send some different CVs and try and steal the job off you and the agent who put you forward.