Cookies can't be used to identify you as an individual.
A cookie is a small file that is downloaded onto your device when you visit a website, which means the website can recognise your device if you return to it.
Cookies are used to:
- recognise your device, so you don’t have to give the same information several times during the same online task
- measure how you use the site, so it can be updated and improved based on your needs
- provide data to help understand how a website and its services are used
Essential cookies
Essential cookies are needed to ensure our website works properly. We don’t need to ask permission to use these. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site might not work.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| cookie-agreed | Saves your cookie consent settings | 3 months |
| cookie-agreed-version | Saves your cookie consent settings | 3 months |
Performance cookies (optional)
Performance cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so that we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. If you don’t allow these cookies, we won’t know when you have visited our site, and won’t be able to monitor its performance.
All Google Analytics data is aggregated and anonymised. It is retained within Google Analytics for a maximum of 24 months.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Used to distinguish users on a domain | 6 months |
| _ga_[measurement ID] | Used to persist session state | 13 months |
| __Secure-3PSID | Used by Google to track the user’s session across different Google websites | 13 months |
| SSID | Used by Google to track the user’s session on the website | 13 months |
Functional cookies (optional)
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you don’t allow these cookies, then some or all of these services may not function properly.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| ar_debug | Used to debug ads | 1 month |
| AEC | Used to ensure that requests within a browsing session are made by the user, and not by other sites. These cookies prevent malicious sites from acting on behalf of a user without that user’s knowledge | 3 months |
| OSID | Google calendar cookie | 7 months |
| __Secure-OSID | Google calendar cookie | 7 months |
| CONSENT | Used by Google Ads to store cookie consent preferences | 10 months |
| SOCS | Used by Google to protect the user’s security and to detect and prevent fraudulent activity | 10 months |
| __Secure-ENID | Used by Google to prevent fraudulent login attempts. This also contains a Google user ID which can be used for statistics and marketing purposes following a successful login | 11 months |
| SIDCC | Used by Google Maps to provide the identification of trusted web traffic | 12 months |
| HSID | Used to provide fraud prevention | 13 months |
Marketing and third-party cookies (optional)
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you don’t allow these cookies, then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Marketing cookies
Facebook (Meta)
Facebook (Meta) Pixel helps us with measuring how effective our Facebook (Meta) adverts are. We’re then able to use this information to improve our marketing. Using Facebook (Meta) Pixel doesn't allow us to identify any individuals. You can read more about Facebook (Meta) cookies and managing your advert preferences.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| YSC | Used by YouTube to store and track interaction | Session |
| NID | Used to provide ad delivery or retargeting, store user preferences | 6 months |
| VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE | Used by YouTube to provide ad delivery or retargeting, store and track a visitor's identity, store and track interaction | 6 months |
| __Secure-YEC | Used by YouTube to provide ad delivery or retargeting, store and track a visitor's identity, store and track interaction | 10 months |
| IDE | Used by Google DoubleClick to provide ad delivery or retargeting | 10 months |
| LOGIN_INFO | Used to support embedded YouTube videos | 10 months |
| __Secure-3PSIDCC | Used to create a user profile and display relevant and personalised Google Ads to the user | 12 months |
| __Secure-1PSIDCC | Used for non-personalised ads | 12 months |
| __Secure-3PSIDTS | Used to collect information about your interactions with Google services and ads | 12 months |
| __Secure-1PSIDTS | Used to collect information about your interactions with Google services and ads | 12 months |
| __Secure-1PSID | Used for non-personalised ads | 13 months |
| SID | Used to provide ad delivery or retargeting, and fraud prevention | 13 months |
| _Secure-3PAPISID_ | Used by Google to deliver more relevant ads to users. It builds a profile of the user’s interests based on their browsing activity | 13 months |
| APISID | Used by Google to deliver more relevant ads to users | 13 months |
| __Secure-1PAPISID | Used for non-personalised ads | 13 months |
| SAPISID | Used by Google to deliver more relevant ads to users. It builds a profile of the user’s interests based on their browsing activity | 13 months |
| _gcl_au | Used by Google AdSense to store and track conversions | 13 months |
| PREF | Used by YouTube to store user preferences | 13 months |
| VISITOR_PRIVACY_METADATA | Used by YouTube to store the user's cookie consent state for the current domain | 13 months |
Third-party cookies
We embed media such as YouTube videos on some of our pages. The suppliers of these services may also set cookies on your device when you visit the pages where we have used this type of content. These are known as third-party cookies. We have no control over third-party cookies.
You can read the third-party websites' cookie policies for more information about the cookies they collect:
Giving permission to collect Analytics and/or Marketing optional cookies
Turn on the Analytics and/or Marketing cookies on the cookie banner to give us permission to store those cookies on your device.
You can change your cookie settings in your browser. For instructions, check the support website for your browser.
Further reading
Cookies and similar technologies | Information Commissioner's Office
Cookie policy updated on 22 January 2024