What are cookies?
When we provide services, we want to make them easy, useful and reliable. Where services are delivered on the internet, this sometimes involves placing small amounts of information on your device (eg computer or mobile phone). These include small files known as cookies. They cannot be used to identify you personally.
These pieces of information are used to improve services for you through, for example:
- Enabling a service to recognize your device so you don't have to give the same information several times during one task
- Measuring how many people are using services, so they can be made easier to use and there's enough capacity to ensure they are fast
- Analyzing anonymised data to help us understand how people interact with our site so we can make it better
Can I opt out of cookies?
We use cookies based on your 'implied consent'. This means that if you continue to use our website, we will assume you are happy for us to set cookies. If you aren't, then yes, there are a number of things you can do.
You can set your web browser (eg Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer etc) to reject all cookies; allow only 'trusted' sites to set them; or to accept cookies from websites only for the duration of your visit. Your browser's 'Help' option will tell you how. However, please be aware that if you choose to delete or restrict cookies, some features of our website may not work.
You can also visit the AboutCookies website, for more information about cookies and how to manage them.