Cookies we use
Strictly necessary cookies
We use some tools that monitor visitor behaviour on our website to help us improve our information and services.
| Name | Data stored | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| cookieconsent_status | Cookie banner retention preference. | The cookie preferences are stored to retain visitor choices in the main cookie banner. This means that the main cookie banner can be minimised on future visits. | One year. |
| sessionid | A random unique number or string of letters and numbers. | A session cookie is required to follow your progress through the website. It is essential to ensure that any information you enter or routes you take are remembered by the website. Without this cookie, every page you visited would treat you as a completely new visitor. This cookie does not identify you personally and is not linked to any other information we store about you. | Two weeks |
| csrftoken | A unique token represented as a random string of letters and numbers. This token is generated by the server and is associated with the user's session. | The csrftoken cookie is a security feature used to protect against Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks. CSRF attacks occur when an unauthorized user tricks a legitimate user into performing actions on a website without their consent. The csrftoken cookie ensures that requests made to the server originate from this site, preventing malicious activities. | One year. |
Google Analytics Cookies
| _ga, _gat, _gid | A random unique number or string of letters and numbers to identify your browser, the times and dates that you interacted with the site recently and the marketing materials or referring pages that led you to the site. | Google Analytics is a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. ('Google'), to help us see how our website is used. In doing so information about your use of our website, including your IP address, may be transmitted to Google and stored on servers in the United States. The data collected by Google Analytics is used to analyse how frequently the same people revisit this website, how the website is found (from advertising or referring websites), and which pages are most frequently viewed. This information is combined with data from thousands of other users to create an overall picture of website use, and is never identified individually or personally and is not linked to any other information we store about you. | The longest lasting cookie expires 2 years after your last visit to the website. Others are deleted 6 months, 30 minutes and the moment you close your browser. |
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small file downloaded on to your device when you access certain websites. Cookies allow sites to recognise your device when you make a return visit.
We use several types of cookies for a range of reasons across this website.
When you leave our website or click on links that lead to external websites, we are unable to control what cookies are set in any way. You will need to set your cookie preferences for those sites as well.
Why and how we use cookies
There are broadly three reasons why a cookie might be stored on your device when visiting the this website.
- Cookies that make the website work properly for you and enable you to make use of the secure online services that we provide.
- Cookies that collect data about your use of the website which is then anonymised and used to help us improve our online services.
- Cookies that remember your preferences and make the site easier for you to use.
These cookies are placed on your device either by the this website or by the third parties whose services we use as part of the website.
Some cookies are retained in your browser for only as long as you visit our website, while others persist for a longer specified or unspecified period.
How to block cookies
You can restrict or block cookies which are set during your use of the website by changing your browser’s settings. Some pages may not work if you completely disable cookies, but many third party cookies can be safely blocked.
Check information in your browser’s help section for specific instructions on how to manage cookies. Alternatively, websites such as “All About Cookies” provide comprehensive guidance.