weird or what

just re- reading the person who employs OH will be financially well rewarded..

As long as you OH is happy with the new job and salary and its what he wants, I don't see a problem. Agencies take fees all the time to find people work.

I presume because the potential employer (PE) is under contract to a third party (an agency) the PE would have to pay a penalty for your OH being taken on permanently on that site.
Providing the job is with a different employer then the penalty doesn't apply.
I worked as an agency nurse at a NH once and was offered a permanent job there and the owner had to pay a fee to the agency.

I think its because the person he works for made the arrangements for other half..other half didn't know job even existed until he was told he was being taken for the interview and told by the employer that he stood to make money out of the deal,he is not English and employs lots of Eastern Europeans and is known for the deals he does other half is not happy and feels like he has been "sold" rather than let go...he is in the hand car wash industry,it is not an agency,it is the feeling of being sold like a commodity that is making us uncomfortable...I don't want him so will sell him to you.....trouble is there is no other work around..it isn't a salary it is a weekly wage which would be the same poor rate as he is getting now...we understand about contracts ..just wanted to see what others thought...OH feels like a slave being sold in a market...if HE had applied for the job himself he would have felt differently....just don't feel right you how sometimes you get a "feeling" about a situation..

Downtoearth
Could it be that the current employer (the one your OH is subcontracted to) is coming to the end of their own contract, or the contract is reducing, and they are trying to find something else for your OH so they don't have to tell him there's no more work?
Just another way of looking at it.
Sorry if I've got the wrong end of the stick, but maybe your OH could just ask the employer/contractor why he sent him for the interview?

TBH we are mystified there could be many reasons why he is doing this janeainsworth not sure knowing his reputation any are in OH best interest.....just wanted to see if we are too suspicious,it is out of character for employer...contracts are just renewed... it is just a feeling something not right,OH is going to try and pin him down ....think Arthur Daley...if you remember him .....but will try and look for the good in him...

It could be the long hand of HMRC has something to do with it Downtoearth.
You say OH is self employed - if the Revenue think he isn't, or shouldn't be, it could be that they are pursuing the employer for employer's NI contributions. They can do this retrospectively for up to 7 years
Just a thought.

OH pays his own contributions ,and dosent earn enough for tax, but accountant produces EOY accounts for all to see for tax credits etc.why would you sell a trusted loyal "employee" surely you would keep him for yourself,business appears to be doing well with newly acquired contracts,in fact he now has monopoly of business in area...