What cookies are
Cookies are small text files placed on a device when a person visits a website. They store limited information that allows pages to load correctly, remember settings between visits, and record general patterns of use. Cookies cannot run programs or carry viruses, and they do not reveal a visitor's identity on their own. Some are set directly by this site, while others may be set by trusted technical providers that support specific features. Each cookie has a defined lifespan: session cookies are removed once the browser closes, whereas persistent cookies remain for a set period until they expire or are deleted manually.
Types of cookies used
The cookies used on this portal fall into four broad groups, each serving a distinct function:
- Essential cookies keep core features working, including page navigation, security, and access to protected areas. The website cannot operate properly without them, so they cannot be switched off through this site.
- Analytics cookies collect anonymised information about how visitors find and read content, such as which review pages are most popular and how long people stay. This data is aggregated and used only to improve structure and performance.
- Functional cookies remember preferences like language, region, or display settings, so the experience stays consistent across return visits.
- Marketing cookies may record general interests to keep any third-party content relevant. The portal does not sell products, so these are used sparingly and never to build intrusive personal profiles.
Why cookies are used
Cookies support several practical purposes that help the portal remain useful and stable. Essential and functional cookies ensure that the site responds correctly and that personal choices are respected without repeated prompts. Analytics cookies guide editorial decisions by showing which comparisons and guides readers value most, which informs how content is organised and refined over time. No cookie is used to collect sensitive personal information, and information gathered is processed in a limited and controlled way that complies with UK data protection standards.
How to manage cookies in your browser
Visitors can control or remove cookies at any time through their browser settings. Most modern browsers allow individuals to accept, block, or delete cookies for all sites or for specific ones. In Chrome, cookie controls sit under the privacy and security section of the settings menu. In Firefox, the relevant options appear under privacy and security, where stored data can be cleared and exceptions managed. In Safari, cookie preferences are found within the privacy tab of the browser settings, on both desktop and mobile devices. Disabling certain cookies, particularly essential ones, may affect how parts of the site function, including navigation and saved preferences. Reviewing these settings periodically helps keep them aligned with personal privacy expectations.
Consent and withdrawal
When visitors first arrive, a notice describes the use of non-essential cookies and asks for consent before any are placed. Essential cookies are applied automatically because the site cannot function without them, and this is permitted under current rules. Consent for analytics, functional, and marketing cookies is freely given and can be withdrawn at any time, either through the on-site preference controls or by adjusting browser settings as described above. Withdrawing consent stops further collection through the affected cookies and does not penalise continued use of the portal.
Contact
This cookie policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in technology or legal requirements, and any revised version takes effect once published on this page. Questions about how cookies are used can be sent by email to [email protected].
