Manage Cookies

A "Cookie" is a small file, typically of letters and numbers, downloaded on to a device (such as desktop, laptop, tablet) when the user accesses certain websites. Cookies are then sent back to the originating website on each subsequent visit. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognize a user's device.

Cookies are designed to assist your device to remember something the user has done within that website e.g. remembering that the user has logged in, or which buttons have been clicked.

• "Session cookies" allow websites to link the actions of a user only during a browser session to remember items that have been put in a shopping basket or for security reason when a user is accessing internet banking. These session cookies expire after a browser session and are not stored longer term.

• "Persistent cookies" are stored on a users' device in between browser sessions which allows preferences or actions of the user to be remembered. They may be used for a variety of purposes including remembering users' preferences and choices when using a site to remember your preferred language.

• "Authentication cookies" are specific Session cookies related to knowing a user is logged in or not. Authentication cookies are important for the website to know what information to show you, or if it needs to ask you to log in.

• "First party cookies" are cookies set by a website visited by the user i.e. the website displayed in the address bar.

• "Third party cookies" are cookies that are set by a domain other than the one being visited by the user. If a user visits a website and a separate company sets a cookie through that website. They are used for a variety of reasons.

• "Essential cookies" are the cookies which are necessary for the website to function properly and cannot be refused if user wants to visit the website. These cookies are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

• "Analytics cookies" are the cookies to gather information on how you use our websites to help us understand how our websites are used and improve the user experience (such as understanding which pages are most visited, how long people spend on each page, etc.). The cookies collect information in a way that does not directly identify anyone, it is used for statistical purposes, and we don’t use this information for any advertising or profiling purposes.