Cookies on ons.gov.uk

Cookies are small files stored on your device when you visit a website. We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We would like to set additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use the site. This helps us to improve our services.

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Cookies

Cookies are small files stored on your phone, tablet or computer when you visit a website.

We use cookies and similar technologies to store information about how you use service-manual.ons.gov.uk, such as the pages you visit.

We use JavaScript to set our cookies. Javascript is not running on your browser so you cannot change your settings.
You can try:

  • turning on JavaScript in your browser
  • reloading the page in case there was a temporary fault with JavaScript

We use four types of cookie. You can choose which cookies you are happy for us to use.

Cookies that measure website use

We use Google Analytics to measure how you use the website so we can improve it based on user needs. Google Analytics sets cookies that store anonymised information about:

  • how you got to the site
  • the pages you visit on service-manual.ons.gov.uk and how long you spend on each page
  • what you click on while you are visiting the site

Learn more about these Google Analytics cookies

NamePurposeExpires
_gaThis helps us count how many people visit " + service-manual.ons.gov.uk + " by tracking if you have visited before2 years
_gidThis helps us count how many people visit " + service-manual.ons.gov.uk + " by tracking if you have visited before24 hours
_gatUsed to manage the rate at which page view requests are made10 minutes

We do not allow Google to use or share the data about how you use this site.

Do you want to allow usage tracking?

Cookies that help with our communications

Some of our pages may contain content from other sites, like YouTube, which may set their own cookies. These sites are sometimes called “third party” services. This tells us how many people are seeing the content and whether it is useful.

In addition, if you share a link to a service-manual.ons.gov.uk page, the service you share it on may set a cookie. We have no control over cookies set on other websites – you can turn them off, but not through us.

YouTube and Vimeo videos

We use YouTube and Vimeo to show videos on some service-manual.ons.gov.uk pages. YouTube and Vimeo set cookies when you visit one of these pages. 

We add the ?dnt=1 parameter to embedded Vimeo videos when using the video component. 

This tells Vimeo to only set the below cookies.

Learn more about these video cookies
NamePurposeExpires
_use_hitboxThis is a randomly generated number that identifies your browser (YouTube)When you close your browser
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVELets Youtube count the views of embedded Youtube videos9 months
vuidVimeo installs this cookie to collect tracking information by setting a unique ID to embed videos to the websiteHTTP cookie – 1 year
__cf_bmThis cookie is used to distinguish between humans and bots. This is beneficial for the website, in order to make valid reports on the use of their website.(Vimeo)1 day
Do you want to allow communications tracking?

Cookies that remember your settings

These cookies do things like remember your preferences and the choices you make, to personalise your experience of using the site.

Do you want to allow settings?

Strictly necessary cookies

These essential cookies do things like remember the notifications you have seen so we do not show them to you again

They always need to be on.

Learn more about these essential cookies

Cookie message

You may see a banner when you visit service-manual.ons.gov.uk inviting you to accept cookies or review your settings. We will set cookies so that your computer knows you have seen it and not to show it again, and also to store your settings.

NamePurposeExpires
ons_cookie_message_displayedLets us know that you have seen our cookie message1 year
ons_cookie_policySaves your cookie consent settings1 year

Help improve this page

Let us know how we could improve this page, or share your user research findings. Discuss this page on GitHub (opens in a new tab)