Cookies

Cookies are files saved on your phone, tablet or computer when you visit a website. Most websites need cookies to work properly.

This service uses cookies to:

  • measure how you use the service so it can be improved
  • temporarily store the answers you give

How cookies are used in this service

1. To measure website use

We use Google Analytics software to collect information about how you use this service. We do this to help make sure the service is meeting the needs of its users and to help us make improvements. We do not allow Google to use or share the data about how you use this site.

Google Analytics sets cookies that store anonymised information about:

  • how you got to the service
  • the pages you visit
  • how long you spend on each page
  • what you click on while you're visiting the service
Google Analytics cookie details
Name Purpose Expires
_ga A randomly generated reference used to identify unique users and inform referring sites, visitor and session counts 2 years
_gat_UA-158688524-1 Used to throttle request rate 1 minute
_gid Used to distinguish users 24 hours
Allow cookies that measure website use?

2. To store the answers you've given during your visit

Your visit is known as a session. We store session cookies on your computer to help keep your information secure and to understand what you've seen and done so far.

These are temporary cookies and are automatically deleted after a period of time. These cookies always need to be on.

Session cookie details
Name Purpose Expires
application Stores a unique session id 24 hours, or when you close the browser, or after 30 minutes of inactivity
cm-user-preferences Stores your selection on whether or not to allow Google Analytics cookies 365 days