We process cookie-related data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA). Under these laws, as amended by DUAA 2025, we are required to:
- Obtain informed, freely given, specific, and unambiguous consent before placing any non‑essential cookies, except where DUAA provides a lawful exemption for certain low‑risk analytics or functionality‑enhancing cookies.
- Provide clear and transparent information about the cookies we use, their purpose, and their duration.
- Ensure that consent can be easily withdrawn at any time.
- Ensure that essential and exempt cookies are distinguished from optional ones.
- Provide users with controls for optional cookies through a consent banner or settings panel.
- Process any cookie‑collected data in a secure, proportionate, and accountable manner.
Cookie preferences are stored as evidence of consent in line with regulatory requirements.
What are Cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on your device to enable websites to function efficiently and to enhance your experience. They may store preferences, improve performance, or support essential security functions.
We do not use cookies to gather personal data, nor do we disclose cookie‑derived information to third parties.
To find out more about cookies visit www.aboutcookies.org.
Your Permission to Use Cookies
If your browser is set to accept cookies, we take this together with continued use of our site to indicate that you agree to essential and DUAA‑exempt cookies. Optional cookies are only activated with your explicit consent.
Lawful Basis for Using Cookies
We rely on the following lawful bases under UK GDPR and DUAA:
- Legitimate Interest / Performance of a Contract – for Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly necessary cookies remain exempt from consent under PECR. They enable:
- Security
- Page navigation
- Form submission
- Provision of the service you request
These cookies cannot be disabled.
- DUAA‑Exempt Low‑Risk Analytics & Statistical Cookies (No Consent Required)
Under the DUAA 2025, we may set certain low‑risk, first‑party analytics cookies without obtaining consent, only when the sole purpose is to collect aggregate statistical data to improve website functionality or user experience.
These DUAA‑exempt cookies:
- Must not identify individuals
- Must not support advertising, cross‑site tracking, profiling, or marketing
- Must be strictly necessary to understand how users engage with the site, e.g., where users struggle with navigation or where pages underperform
- Must include a simple opt‑out mechanism, as required by DUAA and ICO guidance
Examples of permitted purposes include:
- Identifying broken user journeys
- Understanding aggregated navigation patterns
- Improving site structure, speed, or accessibility
If analytics cookies serve any advertising‑related purpose, they require consent.
- Consent – for All Other Optional Cookies
The following always require explicit, opt‑in consent:
- Marketing cookies
- Personalisation / targeting cookies
- Third‑party advertising cookies
- Cross‑site tracking technologies
- Any analytics cookies that do not meet DUAA’s narrow exemption criteria
Consent is:
- Granular
- Revocable at any time
- Never assumed or bundled
Compliance with the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA)
In accordance with DUAA:
- We may set low‑risk, first‑party analytics or functionality‑enhancing cookies without consent, provided they are used solely to improve user experience or website functionality.
- We provide clear and comprehensive information, along with easy, free ways to object to DUAA‑exempt analytics.
- We continue to request consent where required (e.g., advertising, behavioural tracking).
- We review our practices in line with ongoing ICO guidance.
Consent‑Banner
When you first visit our site, you will be prompted to:
- Accept all cookies
- Reject non‑essential cookies
- Customise cookie preferences
Under DUAA:
- Essential cookies and DUAA‑exempt analytics cookies may load without consent.
- All other optional cookies will only load after a clear affirmative action from you.
- You may change your preferences or opt out of analytics at any time.
Strictly Necessary vs. Optional Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookies (No consent required)
Examples include:
- Security and session cookies
- Load-balancing cookies
- Cookies ensuring data input continuity
DUAA-Exempt Analytics & Functionality Cookies (no consent required under strict conditions)
These include:
- First-party analytics/statistical-purpose cookies that collect anonymised, aggregate data solely to improve service or site functionality.
- Cookies that enhance site appearance or user preferences (e.g., theme, language).
These must not be used for advertising or profiling.
Optional Cookies (require consent)
Optional cookies are non‑essential and require your consent before they are activated. These cookies help improve functionality, performance, and your overall experience but are not required for the site to operate.
Optional cookies include:
- Performance & Analytics Cookies (non-exempt)
Analytics cookies that go beyond DUAA’s exemption, including:
- Google Analytics cookies (_ga, _gat, _gid)
- Analytics involving user‑level identification
These only activate with consent.
- Third‑Party & Social Media Cookies
These cookies are used for:
- Content sharing
- Social media interaction
- Market research
- Third‑party tracking
These always require opt‑in consent.
Data Minimisation and Retention
We follow DUAA and GDPR principles:
- Only minimal data is collected
- Retention is proportionate
- DUAA‑exempt analytics are always anonymised and aggregate
- If you withdraw consent, optional cookies are disabled or removed where technically feasible
Turning cookies off
You may block or delete cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may limit site functionality.
Links to other sites
Our policy does not apply to third‑party websites that we link to. We recommend reviewing their cookie and privacy policies.
To find out more about cookies, including how to see which cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit www.aboutcookies.org or www.allaboutcookies.org.