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 computer, mobile phone or whatever device you are using to access the internet. This information is held in cookies.
Cookies are small information files placed on your device and are used to improve services for you by, for example:
- enabling the service to recognise your device so you do not need to give the same information repeatedly
- recognising when you have already given a username and password so that you do not need to do so for every subsequent web page you visit
- measuring how many people are using the services we provide, so we can make them easier and faster to use
analysing data, anonymously, to help us understand how people interact with government services
You can learn more about cookies from the GOV.UK guidance on cookies.
The cookies we use identify you merely as a number. If you are uncomfortable about the use of cookies, you can disable them by changing the settings in the preferences or options menu in your internet browser (go to aboutcookies.org for information on how to do this).
However, disabling cookies may affect our ability to provide services to you; if certain cookies are disabled you may not be able to access the service. If you continue without changing your settings, we will accept your consent to receive these cookies.
