In this section, you will find information on what cookies may be set when you visit our website, and how to reject or delete those cookies.
When you visit our website we want your experience to be easy, useful and reliable. Where services are provided on the internet, this sometimes involves placing small amounts of information on your device, for example your computer or mobile phone. This information consists of small files known as cookies and they cannot be used to identify you personally.
These pieces of information are used to improve our services for you through, for example:
Enabling a service to recognise your device, so you do not need to provide the same information several times during one task.
Recognising that you may already have provided a username and password, so you don't need to do it for every web page requested.
Measuring how many people are using services, so they can be made easier to use and there's enough capacity to ensure they're fast.
You can manage these small files yourself and learn more about them by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/managingcookies
HOW TO CONTROL AND DELETE COOKIES
We will not use cookies to collect personally identifiable information about you. However, if you wish to restrict or block the cookies which are set by our website or any other website, you can do this through your browser settings.
Comprehensive information on how to do this across a wide variety of browsers can be found at https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies/
Please be advised that restricting cookies, may impact the functionality of the websites you visit.
THIRD PARTY COOKIES
Cookies set for embedded social web content
To support our information provision and engagement, we sometimes embed photos and video content from websites such as Youtube, Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook. As a result, when you visit a page with content embedded from, for example, Youtube or Facebook, you may be presented with cookies from these websites. We do not control the use of these cookies. You should check third-party websites for more information on these cookies.
Our website also carries embedded 'share' buttons to enable you to easily share articles through a number of social networks. These sites may set a cookie when you are logged into or otherwise using their service. We have no control over these cookies and you should check their websites for more information on these cookies.
Cookies for web analytics
We use third-party services to gather data on the usage of our website through cookies, log file data and code, which are embedded on the site. We use this type of information to help improve the service we provide to visitors.
Google analytics
Google analytics is a web analytics service provider provided by Google Inc. Google Analytics sets a cookie in order to evaluate a visitor's use of our website.
Google stores the information collected by the cookie on their servers in the United States. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. By using our website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and the purposes set out above.
For more information on the cookie set by Google Analytics, including information on how to opt out please visit https://policies.google.com/privacy
Cookie categories
The type of cookie used on this website can each be put into 1 of 4 categories, based on the International Chamber of Commerce guide to cookie categories:
Strictly necessary cookies: These cookies are essential, as they enable you to move around a website and use its features, such as accessing secure areas. Without these cookies, services you have asked for (such as access to secure areas) cannot be provided. These cookies don't gather information about you that could be used for marketing or remembering where you have been on the internet. These cannot be restricted or blocked.
Performance cookies: These cookies collect information about how you use a website, for example, which pages you go to most often and if you get any error messages from certain pages. These cookies don't gather information that identifies you. All the information these cookies collect is anonymous and is only used to improve how a website works. These cookies are not used to target you with online advertising. Without these cookies, we cannot learn how our website is performing and make the necessary improvements that could enhance your browsing experience. These can be restricted or blocked.
Functionality profile cookies: These cookies allow a website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and tailor the website to provide enhanced features and content for you. For instance, they remember your login details and allow you to watch videos. They also ensure the onsite marketing and experience is relevant to you. These cookies can also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, font and other parts of pages that you can customise. The information these cookies collect may be anonymous and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. Without these cookies, a website cannot remember choices you've previously made or personalise your browsing experience. These can be restricted or blocked.
Targeting cookies: These cookies gather information about your browsing habits. They remember that you've visited a website and share this information with other organisations such as advertisers. They do this in order to provide you with ads that are more relevant to you and your interests. Although these cookies can track your visits to other websites, they don't usually know who you are. Without these cookies, online advertisements you encounter will be less relevant to you and your interests. These can be restricted or blocked.