I am a newbie in trading. Am based in the UK. Would like to trade E-Minis (DJ and S&P500)

Few quick questions - I'll be much obliged if an expert can post the replies to these:

- I know that CFD's for the above 2 instruments trace the spot price. Do their Futures also track the spot price? If not, what is the typical time lag between the future ans spot, and how much is the typical points difference of a future from the spot?

- On CFD's, I know that brokers take a spread e.g. 2 points for e*Trade. At the same time, futures seems tradable at rock-bottom commissions + a nominal charge for each contract. How much is the typical spread on Futures? What are the constituent charges for CFD's vs Futures (commission, stamp duty, spread, taxes, etc)

- Are there any hidden costs on Futures?

- In your opinion, given that I want to trade DJ and S&P E-Minis from UK, which is the better way to trade - CFD's or Futures?

- Which vendor/software platform/package should I use to trade the Dow Jones, given that I want to do this as a resident of UK?

Many thanks.:)