Cookies
Small files (known as ‘cookies’) are put onto your computer to collect information about how you browse the site.
Cookies are used to:
- measure how you use the website so it can be updated and improved based on your needs
- remember the notifications you’ve seen so that you’re not shown them again
GOV.UK cookies aren’t used to identify you personally.
You’ll normally see a message on the site before a cookie is stored on your computer.
Find out more about how to manage cookies from aboutcookies.org (opens in a new tab).
Essential cookies
Essential cookies are required to make this service work. We do not need to ask your permission to use them.
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| cookie_policy | Saves your cookie consent settings | 1 year |
| seen_cookie_message | This is used to display a cookie message | 1 month |
| hof-cookie-check | Confirms that your browser supports cookies | When you close your browser |
| hof-wizard-sc | Stores your progress through the service | When you close your browser |
| hort.sid | Stores your answers to the questions in the service | When you close your browser |
Analytics cookies (optional)
With your permission, Google Analytics software collects information about how you use the site. This is done to help make sure the site is meeting the needs of its users and to help make improvements.
Google Analytics stores information about:
- the pages you visit - how long you spend on each page
- how you got to the site
- what you click on while you’re visiting the site
- any error messages you see when entering information
- other GOV.UK sites you visit before and after using our service
We don’t collect or store your personal information (for example, your name or address) so this information can’t be used to identify who you are.
Google isn’t allowed to use or share our analytics data.
The following Google Analytics cookies (opens in a new tab) are used:
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Used to distinguish users | 2 years |
| _ga_<container-id> | Used to persist session state | 2 years |