Cookie policy

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the website function properly, improve your experience, and provide information to the site owners about how the site is used.

Cookies can be:

Session cookies: deleted when you close your browser
Persistent cookies: remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them

How we use cookies

We use cookies to:

Make the website work securely and efficiently
Remember your preferences (such as consent choices)
Understand how visitors use the site so we can improve it

Some cookies are essential for the website to function and do not require your consent. Others are only set if you give permission.

Types of cookies we use

Necessary cookies (always active)

These cookies are essential for the operation of the website. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot switch these off.

These cookies do not store personally identifiable information.

Cookies used:

ASP.NET_SessionId
- Duration: Session
- Purpose: Stores session data during your visit
.AspNetCore.Antiforgery.*
- Duration: Session
- Purpose: Protects against cross-site request forgery attacks
JSESSIONID
- Duration: Session
- Purpose: Used to monitor session counts for application performance
rc::a / rc::c
- Duration: Persistent / Session
- Purpose: Used by Google reCAPTCHA to detect bots and protect against spam
cookieyes-consent
- Duration: 1 year
- Purpose: Stores your cookie consent preferences
csrftoken
- Duration: 1 year
- Purpose: Security protection against cross-site request forgery

Functional cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality such as sharing content or collecting feedback.

Currently, no functional cookies are in use.

Analytics cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

We only set these cookies with your consent.

Cookies used:

_ga / ga*
- Duration: Up to 1 year 1 month
- Purpose: Distinguish users and track site usage
hjSessionUser*
- Duration: 1 year
- Purpose: Identifies a returning user (Hotjar)
hjSession*
- Duration: 1 hour
- Purpose: Tracks session behaviour (Hotjar)
_hjTLDTest
- Duration: Session
- Purpose: Determines appropriate cookie domain (Hotjar)

Performance cookies

These cookies help us measure and improve the performance of the website.

We only set these cookies with your consent.

Cookies used:

__utma, __utmb, __utmc, __utmz, __utmt
- Duration: Session to 1 year+
- Purpose: Legacy Google Analytics cookies used to track user behaviour and sessions

Advertising cookies

We do not currently use advertising cookies.

Uncategorised cookies

The following cookies are under review and will be classified or removed where appropriate:

.AspNetCore.Mvc.CookieTempDataProvider (1 hour)
textsizestyle (1 year)
UMB_SESSION (session)
CivicaPensionsCookie (session)

Third-party cookies

Some cookies are set by third-party services that appear on our pages. These include:

Google (Analytics and reCAPTCHA)
Hotjar (user behaviour analytics)

These third parties may process data in accordance with their own privacy policies.

How you can control cookies

When you first visit our website, you are given the option to accept or reject non-essential cookies.

You can:

Change or withdraw your consent at any time using the cookie settings on our website
Adjust your browser settings to block or delete cookies

Please note that disabling some cookies may affect how the website functions.

Legal basis for using cookies

We use cookies in accordance with UK data protection law:

Necessary cookies: used under legitimate interests (no consent required)
All other cookies: only used with your consent

Changes to this policy

We may update this cookie policy from time to time. Any changes will be published on this page.

Contact us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us.