In the US, the correct answer is to create an LLC and contract through that. It simplifies the tax relationship and reinforces the distinction between contractor and employee. But the LLC needs to have more than a paper existence. You need to have a separate bank account and bigger contracts/companies may require "errors & omissions" insurance but that's later down the road.
I'm not sure what the UK/IE equivalent is but I'd recommend looking into it.
I'm not sure what the UK/IE equivalent is but I'd recommend looking into it.