What are cookies, how are they used and how are they managed?

Cookies are small text files that contain letters and numbers and are placed on your computer or device. Cookies are set when you visit a website that uses cookies and may be used to keep track of pages visited within the site, help you continue where you left off or remember your preferences, such as language settings.

Cookies are very important to help us make online services easier to use, to monitor the use of our site and to help us improve the service to you.

If you wish to control and remove cookies, this can be done via settings in your web browser.

Please be aware that restricting cookies may impact the functionality of a website. Many of the interactive functions offered by websites are dependent on cookies and disabling or blocking cookies can prevent these services from working or reduce their usefulness.

Different web browsers may use different methods for managing cookies. Please follow the instructions below, from the web browser manufacturers directly, to configure your browser settings*.

• Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE)
• Google Chrome
• Safari
• Firefox

* These links are to third party sites, over which we have no control – no liability can be claimed if they are inaccurate.