Cookie policy
What are cookies and why are they used?
Cookies are small files which identify your computer to our server. We send these to your computer for the following reasons:
- to tailor the website to your browser
- to help us analyse the use of the website
- to allow applications on our website to work correctly - for example, making sure that we know when you have logged on or off and which part of an application you are accessing.
We do not use cookies to store any personally identifiable information about you. We will not make any attempt to find out the identities of people visiting our website without their prior permission.
If we want to collect personally identifiable information through our website – for example when you request a service from us - we will tell you beforehand. We will make it clear when we collect this information and will explain what we intend to do with it.
How many types of cookies are there?
There are two types of Cookies in use on this website:
Session cookies
These are temporary Cookies that remain in the cookie file of your browser until you leave the site. This information is not stored after you have left the site.
Many of these types of session cookies are used for the sole purpose of carrying out a particular service such as completing an online application form, making an online payment or maintaining the contents of an online shopping basket.
Without using such cookies these services would not work properly. Because of this, the directive states that they are exempt from the new rules, and that consent is implied provided an explanation is given.
We do not ask for your consent to use session cookies because these are needed to provide you with the service you are requesting.
Persistent cookies
These remain in the Cookie file of your browser for a longer period of time. The length of time will depend on the lifetime of the specific cookie but this may be indefinitely or until deleted.
Most of the persistent cookies that we use relate to Google Analytics. We use these cookies to help us gather information about how many people visit our site, and what pages they visit. We cannot identify individuals from this information. We use the information to help us to see where we need to improve our site for the benefit of our customers.
How can I control the use of cookies?
You can use the settings of your web browser to stop any website from storing any cookies on your device. This may lead to parts of the website not working correctly.
You can find out more how to do this within the ‘Help’ function of your browser.
The About Cookies website also gives you information about managing cookies on a wide variety of browsers.
Cookies that we use on our website
The following sections contain detailed information about the cookies we use on our web pages, with information on their expiry and why they are used.
Google Analytics cookies
The following Google Analytics cookies appear on our website. You can choose to opt out of Google Analytics on all websites by using the Google Analytics opt-out tool.
These cookies are used to anonymously track visitor numbers and use of the website. We use the information in the Google Analytics tool to compile reports and help us improve the site.
Google Analytics cookies – useful links
- Google Analytics - safeguarding your data
- Cookies & Google Analytics
Cookies set by third party websites
We sometimes embed video, images or other content from websites such as YouTube, Flickr and Twitter. We may also allow you to share links to content on our site with other websites by the use of “Share” buttons.
As we have no control over the cookies set by these websites, please look at the relevant third party websites for more information.