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How cookies are used by Directgov
Like many websites, Directgov places small data files known as cookies on your computer. This page explains what cookies are used by Directgov.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small files that websites save to your computer. They’re here to make the site work better for you, and to help Directgov understand how people use the website.
These cookies aren’t used to identify you personally but they can remember activities and preferences chosen by you and your browser. You can manage cookies by controlling which cookies are saved or by deleting them, if you wish.
To learn more about cookies use the link below. Or read this page to find out more about the cookies used on Directgov.
Cookies for measuring the use of Directgov (analytics)
This list is being frequently updated as Directgov gathers more information from companies and government departments it works with.
By understanding how people use the website, Directgov can improve the information provided. This also ensures that the service is available when you want it and fast. Directgov use a number of different methods of gathering this data, including services provided by the following companies.
Speed Trap
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| usy46gabsosd | This cookie collects information on which pages are viewed during this visit. | When you close the browser. |
| directgovCSAuvt, jobseekerscsauvt, dwpcsauvt | These cookies record information about the first and last times you visited the website and the total number of visits you have made. | 1 year. |
| directgovCSADBID, jobseekerscsaDBID, dwpcsaDBID | These cookies enable the website to record unique visitors. | 1 year. |
Keynote cookie
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| R2PROD%5FSESSIONID | This cookie makes sure you don't receive an invite to a site survey more than once. | When you close the browser. |
Google Analytics
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| __utma | This cookie is used to determine unique visitors to our site. | 2 years. |
| __utmb, __utmc | These cookies work together to calculate the average length of time users spend on our site. | __utmb 30 minutes, __utmc when you close the browser. |
| __utmz | This cookie records information about how the page was reached (for example via a search engine result or a direct link). | 6 months. |
| __utmmobile | This cookie is used to determine unique visitors to our site. | 2 years. |
Google Analytics is an analytics product that Directgov uses to do things such as keep track of the number of visitors to the site and the length of their stay.
The metrics obtained through the use of first-party Google Analytics cookies do not include any information that would allow Directgov to personally identify visitors to the website; the data is anonymous. The anonymised data that is collected is stored on Google's servers.
The Google Analytics data sharing policy offers Directgov the option to share analytics data either 'Anonymously with Google and others' or with 'Google products only'. UK government websites that use Google Analytics have been advised not to select either of these options. Directgov has chosen not to share the analytics data in either of these ways.
Full details on the cookies set by Google Analytics are published on the Google website. Google also publishes a browser add-on to allow you to choose that information about your website visit is not sent to Google Analytics.
Third party advertising cookies on Directgov
Where government uses advertising, it is responsible for making sure that money is spent effectively. Cookies can help do this by measuring which adverts work best.
Cookies can also help target adverts. For example, if someone visits a government site to apply for a passport, it is likely that they are thinking of travelling abroad. A cookie would help government target travel-advice messages at them.
In all cases this information is strictly anonymous; no-one can be identified personally. And this type of 'behavioural' targeting is never used in sensitive areas such as campaigns around health issues or drugs advice.
The following cookies are used on pages which are being marketed:
Doubleclick
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| id (doubleclick.net) | Saves information on how you reach and interact with a page. The cookies can also control the display and selection of adverts on the site you came from. For example, if you've already visited a page, you may be less likely to see an advert for it | 2 years |
Group M
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| id, OAX, mdata (mookie1.com) | Saves information on how you reach and interact with a page. The cookies can also control the display and selection of adverts on the site you came from. For example, if you've already visited a page, you may be less likely to see an advert for it | 13 months |
Cookies to make functions on the Directgov site work
These cookies control how the website works, perhaps by remembering your choices and preferences or checking what your browser is able to do.
Site customisation
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| style | This cookie allows the site to remember the text size you've set. | When you close the browser. |
Online forms
These cookies allow your selections or preferences that you’ve already made to be remembered when you're completing a form.
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| testcookie | This cookie helps us to test the service is working, it doesn't store any information. | When you close the browser. |
| NSC_qspe-dtnq-wjq-ttm | This cookie allows you to complete the form without re-entering information you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
| PHPSESSID |
This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Cookies for using personalised answer tools
These cookies allow your selections or preferences to be remembered in personalised tools such as the redundancy pay calculator (XXX in the cookie name represents the first three letters of the tool, red = redundancy calculator, mat = maternity planner, etc.).
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| KillIDXXX | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Cookies for using mobile services
These cookies allow your selections or preferences to be remembered if you use the Directgov website on your mobile phone.
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| ARPT | This cookie is used to share the number of visitors we get on our site between web servers. This is to ensure the site does not get overloaded. | When you close the browser. |
| m_herebefore | This cookie ensures that you only see the bookmark reminder message once when browsing with an iPhone. | 14 weeks. |
| m_test_cookie | This tests whether the m_herebefore cookie will work on your phone. | When you close the browser. |
| directgov_articleusefulness | This cookie allows the 'comment on this article' function to work on your phone. | When you close the browser. |
| directgov_polling | This cookie allows online polls to work on your phone. | When you close the browser. |
| forcewww | This cookie remembers whether you prefer to be shown the main Directgov website rather than the mobile version of the site. | When you close the browser. |
Cookies for using Local Directgov services - local.direct.gov.uk
When you put in your location to find a local council service (eg 'pay your council tax'), Local Directgov needs a cookie to work.
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| JSESSIONID | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Cookies for using Directgov Innovate website - innovate.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| has_js | This cookie records whether your browser has JavaScript enabled. | When you close the browser. |
Cookies placed by other Directgov websites
Government services run by departments and agencies which use a Directgov address (URL) sometimes use their own cookies. These include the following:
Act on CO2 - carboncalculator.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| ASP.NET_SessionId | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you’ve already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Benefits adviser - direct.gov.uk/benefitsadviser
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Arrowpoint; Portal OSSO; Oracle Access Manager; Oracle HTTP Server | These cookies help site navigation, user authentication and service availability | When you leave the website |
Car fuel data, CO2 and vehicle tax tools - carfueldata.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| ASP.NET_SessionId | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you’ve already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Court finder - hmctscourtfinder.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| JSESSIONID | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you’ve already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Driving licenses – online services
For cookie information, see: http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/privacy/DLO%20privacy.aspx?ext=dg
Driving tests (practical and theory) - driverpracticaltest.direct.gov.uk or theorytest.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| JSESSIONID | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you’ve already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
| wt_id, WT_FPC and ACOOKIE | These are analytics cookies which collect information about how people use this site. | wt_id - 1 year; WT_FPC, ACOOKIE - 10 years. |
| VUE_LOCALE | Stores your choice of language (English or Welsh). | 1 year. |
Email DVLA - emaildvla.direct.gov.uk
Name: ARTP
For cookie information, see: https://emaildvla.direct.gov.uk/emaildvla/cegemail/directgov/en/privacy_policy.html
Energy Performance Certificates adviser - epcadviser.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| JSESSIONID | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you’ve already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
| site-text-size | This cookie allows the site to remember the text size you've set. | When you close the browser. |
Find Community Payback schemes near you - localcrime.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Find your nearest driving instructor - finddrivinginstructor.direct.gov.uk
Name: org.springframework, JSESSIONID
For cookie information, see: http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/cookies/
Find your nearest services (IPS office, IPS Customer Service Centre and local register office) - maps.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| JSESSIONID | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Find your pension centre - pensions-service.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| ASP.NET_SessionId | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Jobcentre Plus local office search - los.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| asp.net_sessionid | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Jobseeker's Allowance - direct.gov.uk/jsaonline
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Arrowpoint; Portal OSSO; Oracle Access Manager; Oracle HTTP Server | These cookies help site navigation, user authentication and service availability | When you leave the website |
National Citizen Service - nationalcitizenservice.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| exp_tracker | This cookie stores information from the last 5 pages viewed. It allows the service to remember information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
| exp_last_visit | This cookie stores the date of your last visit. It can be shown as a statistic for members and used by the forum to show unread topics for both members and guests. | 1 year. |
| exp_last_activity | This cookie records the time the last page was viewed. It is used in conjunction with the exp_last_visit cookie. | 1 year. |
Pensions Service
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| ASPSESSIONIDCQBDARRD | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Personalised numberplates - dvlaregistrations.direct.gov.uk
Name: PHPSESSID, lastvisit, original_dvid
For cookie information, see: http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/privacy/RegistrationCookies.aspx
Public consultations - consultations.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| JSESSIONID | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - qavs.direct.gov.uk
Name: _qavs_session, TS
For cookie information, see: https://qavs.direct.gov.uk/cookies
Schools and children centre finder - schoolsfinder.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| CFID | This is a randomly generated number that identifies your browser | When you close the browser. |
| CFTOKEN | This is a randomly generated number that identifies your browser | When you close the browser. |
Sharp - sharp.direct.gov.uk
Name: SESS
For cookie information, see: http://www.dft.gov.uk/site/terms/privacy-and-cookie
State Pension Age Calculator - pensions-service.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| genderCookie, dayCookie, monthCookie, yearCookie | These cookies help remember your settings if you return to the form. | When you close the browser. |
Student finance online services - studentfinance.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| JSESSIONID | This is a randomly generated number that identifies your browser | When you close the browser. |
| last_request | A timestamp. It helps the service to work by tracking last visit to ‘my account’ screen. | When you close the browser. |
| OHS-secure.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk | randomly generated key Tracking of secure authentication status |
When you close the browser. |
| Oracle-ECID | This cookie contains a unique number that identifies your session. It is used by the service to help in fault diagnosis. | When you close the browser. |
| ORACLE_SMP_CHRONOS_GL, ORACLE_SMP_CHRONOS_LT, ORACLE_SMP_CHRONOS_ST | These cookies help track users through a session to improve performance. | When you close the browser. |
| orasso | This cookie indicates that you have logged on to one of the sites covered by the Single Sign-On policy. If you subesquently access another site covered by the policy you do not have to log on again. | When you close the browser. |
| portal | This cookie is used to record which parts of the website you have visited. | When you close the browser. |
Tales of the Road - sharp.direct.gov.uk
Name: SESS
For cookie information, see: http://www.dft.gov.uk/site/terms/privacy-and-cookie
Tax Disc applications - taxdisc.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| session | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Think! - think.direct.gov.uk
Name: usy46gabsosd
For cookie information, see: http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/cookies/
Unistats - unistats.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| JSESSIONID | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Volunteering search - volunteering.direct.gov.uk
Name: PHPSESSID, DCT-Legacy, usy46gabsosd
For cookie information, see: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/terms
Your future wallet - betterfuture.direct.gov.uk
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| JSESSIONID | This cookie allows the service to remember selections and preferences that you've already made or information that you've already given. | When you close the browser. |
Cookies on Directgov from social networking websites
Content sharing
Directgov helps you share its content on social networking websites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. For example, you can bookmark and share links using the toolbar at the bottom of each page. These websites may place cookies on your computer. To find out more, see 'How do you use this toolbar?'.
Cookies on Directgov’s YouTube channel
We embed videos from Directgov’s YouTube channel in some of our pages. YouTube sets some or all of the following cookies:
| Cookie name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _use_hitbox | This is a randomly generated number that identifies your browser | When you close the browser. |
| ACTIVITY | This is a randomly generated number that identifies your browser | When you close the browser. |
| recently_watched_video_id_list | This is a randomly generated number that identifies your browser | When you close the browser. |
| VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE | Set when viewing a Directgov page with Youtube videos on it. It is set by Youtube so they can count the views of embedded Youtube videos on them. | About 9 months. |
| PREF | Set by Youtube to store your preferences relating to Youtube videos embedded in Directgov pages, such as the version of Flash that your browser uses. | 10 years. |
- How Directgov uses cookies
Directgov and cookies
Find out how Directgov makes use of cookies
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- All about Cookies
Managing your cookies
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