Cookies
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About cookies
To help improve this site we place small files, known as cookies, onto your computer. Some are essential for the site to work properly, others are to improve the experience you have.
You can stop this site using non-essential cookies by updating your settings above.
Please note, if you have used the site in the past these cookies may still be on your computer - but by disabling them in your settings we will no longer access them.
You can also decide to stop this or any site from using any cookies. To learn more about cookies and how to manage them visit KnowCookies.com.
How we use cookies
We use cookies for several purposes on this website – we’ve listed each of them below with more details about why we use them and how long they’ll last.
Cookies to improve your experience
You can tell us to stop using these at any time by updating your settings above.
Measuring website usage (Matomo)
We use Matomo to collect information about how people use our site, and rough demographics as to what groups of people are using our site. We do this to make sure it’s meeting your needs and to understand how we could improve it.
Matomo stores information about:
- The pages you visit
- How long you spend on each page
- How you got to the site
- What you click on while you're here
The following cookies are set by Matomo:
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _pk_cvar | A short-lived cookie that temporarily stores data for your visit | 30 mins |
| _pk_ses | A short-lived cookie that temporarily stores data for your visit | 30 mins |
| matomo_sessid | This is created when the opt-out feature is used and helps provide fraud prevention | When you close your browser |
| _pk_ref | This is used to store the attribution information the referrer initially used to visit the website | 6 months |
| _pk_id | This stores a few details about you as a user, such as the unique visitor ID | 13 months |
| _pk_testcookie | This checks whether your browser supports cookies, and is then directly deleted | Created, then directly deleted |
Essential cookies
Website operation
The system that runs our website sets cookies to allow it to run smoothly.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| cookiesPrivacy | Used to remember your privacy preferences | 90 days |
| AWSALB | Used to make sure the website can cope with unexpected traffic | 2 years |
| AWSALBCORS | Used to make sure the website can cope with unexpected traffic | 2 years |
NB: Cookie guidance wording adapted from cookies on GOV.UK, shared under the Open Government Licence.