Cookie Policy
Last updated: 21 November 2025
Our Cookie Approach
We take a privacy-first approach to cookies. Unlike most websites, we only use essential cookies required for basic functionality. No tracking, no marketing, no surveillance.
- Essential functional cookies only
- Session management
- Marketing or advertising cookies
- Third-party tracking cookies
- Social media cookies
- Analytics cookies
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit them. These files contain information that can be read by the website on subsequent visits.
Cookies serve many purposes, from essential functionality to tracking and advertising. There are several types:
- Session Cookies: Temporary cookies deleted when you close your browser
- Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period or until manually deleted
- First-Party Cookies: Set by the website you're visiting
- Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services embedded in the website
2. Essential Cookies We Use
We use only essential cookies that are strictly necessary for the website to function properly. Without these cookies, services you have requested cannot be provided.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| jurisdiction | Remembers your selected jurisdiction (GB or NI) for accurate calculations | First-party | 30 days |
| session | Maintains your session whilst navigating between pages | First-party | Session only |
These essential cookies do not:
- Track your behaviour across websites
- Build profiles of your interests or demographics
- Store personal information like names, email addresses, or employment details
- Share data with advertising networks or third parties
3. Why We Don't Use Marketing Cookies
Many websites use extensive tracking and marketing cookies to monitor user behaviour, build detailed profiles, and serve targeted advertising. We have made a deliberate decision not to use these technologies because:
- We respect your privacy and don't believe in surveillance-based business models
- Your redundancy and employment information is sensitive and deserves protection
- We don't monetise through advertising or sell user data
- Tracking cookies slow down websites and compromise user experience
- We believe in providing value through quality tools, not by exploiting user data
4. What We Deliberately Avoid
To protect your privacy, we do not use:
Cookies used to deliver targeted advertisements based on your browsing behaviour. We show no advertisements and never use advertising networks.
Cookies set by external companies to track your movements across multiple websites. We don't embed third-party trackers or analytics that compromise privacy.
Cookies used by social media platforms to track users across the web. We don't use social media plugins, share buttons, or pixels that enable tracking.
Cookies that build detailed profiles of user interests, demographics, and behaviour. We have no interest in profiling users or collecting behavioural data.
5. Cookie Lifespan
Our cookies have limited lifespans to minimise data retention:
- Session Cookies: Automatically deleted when you close your browser
- Jurisdiction Cookie: Stored for 30 days to remember your selection, then automatically expires
You can manually delete cookies at any time through your browser settings. The website will continue to function, though you may need to re-select your jurisdiction.
6. Third-Party Cookies
We do not intentionally set third-party cookies. However, our hosting provider (Netlify) may set essential cookies for:
- Security and DDoS protection
- Load balancing and performance optimisation
- Basic error logging and infrastructure monitoring
These infrastructure cookies do not track individual users or behaviour. They are necessary for the secure and reliable operation of the website.
7. Managing Cookies in Your Browser
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:
- View cookies stored by websites
- Delete cookies individually or all at once
- Block cookies from specific websites
- Block all cookies (though this may affect website functionality)
- Set preferences for first-party vs third-party cookies
Impact on our website: If you block essential cookies, you may need to re-select your jurisdiction (Great Britain or Northern Ireland) each time you visit. All calculator functions will still work, as calculations are performed in your browser without requiring cookies.
Browser-Specific Cookie Management Instructions
Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
View detailed guide →Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
View detailed guide →Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
View detailed guide →Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies and site data
View detailed guide →8. Cookie Consent
By using our website, you consent to the use of essential cookies as described in this policy. Since we only use strictly necessary cookies for basic functionality, no separate cookie consent banner is required under UK law (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003).
If we ever introduce optional cookies (such as analytics or preferences), we will:
- Seek your explicit consent before setting those cookies
- Provide clear information about their purpose
- Give you granular control over cookie categories
- Respect your choices and never use "cookie walls" that force acceptance
9. Legal Compliance
Our cookie practices comply with:
- Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) 2003: UK law governing cookies and electronic communications
- UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018: Regulations protecting personal data and privacy rights
- ICO Cookie Guidance: Best practices recommended by the Information Commissioner's Office
10. Changes to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make changes:
- The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will be revised
- Material changes will be clearly indicated
- We encourage you to review this policy periodically
If we introduce new types of cookies (beyond essential cookies), we will update this policy and seek appropriate consent where required by law.
11. Questions About Cookies
If you have questions or concerns about our use of cookies, please contact us through our contact page. We're happy to provide additional information about our cookie practices.
For general information about cookies and how they work, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.