1. What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file placed on your device when you visit a website. Cookies allow the site to remember your actions and preferences over time. Under the UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), we must tell you about the cookies we use and, with limited exceptions, obtain your consent before setting non-essential ones.
2. Types of cookies we use
| Category | Purpose | Consent required? |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Remembering your cookie consent choice. | No — required for the site to function lawfully. |
| Analytics | Google Analytics — aggregated statistics on visits, pages, and traffic sources. | Yes — set only after consent. |
| Advertising | Google AdSense — displaying and measuring ads, optionally personalised. | Yes — set only after consent. Personalised ads require explicit opt-in. |
| Functional | None currently used. | — |
3. Google Analytics cookies
We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors use the site so we can improve it. GA4 collects aggregated, pseudonymous data: pages viewed, time on page, approximate geographic region (country/city), device type, browser, and referral source. It does not identify you personally.
| Cookie | Purpose | Default retention |
|---|---|---|
_ga | Distinguishes unique visitors via a random client ID. | 13 months (we configure 14 months max) |
_ga_<container-id> | Maintains session state for the GA4 measurement. | 13 months |
_gid | Distinguishes users for daily statistics (if enabled). | 24 hours |
We have configured GA4 with IP anonymisation and a maximum data retention of 14 months. Data is processed by Google LLC under their privacy policy and the UK-US Data Bridge where applicable.
For more, see Google's GA4 cookie details.
4. Google AdSense cookies
We display advertising through Google AdSense. AdSense may set cookies to display ads, measure ad performance, and (where you have opted in) personalise ads based on your interests. Without personalised-ad consent, AdSense still serves contextual ads but does not build an interest profile.
| Cookie | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|
__gads | Records ad interactions under the gads account. | 13 months |
__gpi | Persists ad-group preference across pages. | 13 months |
IDE | Used by Google for personalised advertising on domains that use Google services (where personalisation consent is given). | 13 months (Google-controlled) |
NID | Used to customise ad preferences on non-search Google services. | 6 months (Google-controlled) |
Where Google processes personal data for ad personalisation, you can manage your Google ad settings at adssettings.google.com and learn more at Google's advertising privacy page.
5. Strictly necessary cookies
We set one first-party cookie to remember whether you have accepted or rejected non-essential cookies. This cookie is necessary for the site to comply with PECR and does not contain any personal data.
| Cookie | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|
sw_cookie_consent | Stores your cookie consent choice ("all", "essential-only"). | 6 months |
6. Third-party cookies and the IAB TCF
AdSense on this site may use the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) v2.2. When you see the cookie banner, your consent choices are encoded in the TCstring and shared with participating vendors. You can review the vendor list and current TCF string at any time via the cookie preferences link in the footer.
7. How to control and delete cookies
You have several options:
- Use our cookie banner — change your preference at any time via the "Cookie preferences" link in the footer.
- Browser settings — all major browsers let you view, block, or delete cookies. See:
- Google Ads Settings — adssettings.google.com to opt out of personalised advertising across Google services.
- Network Advertising Initiative — optout.networkadvertising.org for cross-industry opt-out.
Blocking all cookies may affect site functionality (e.g. cookie consent will not be remembered).
8. Cookies we do not use
- We do not set cookies that read your calculator inputs — those values stay in your browser.
- We do not use Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn Insight, or other social-media tracking pixels.
- We do not use Hotjar, FullStory, or session-replay tools.
- We do not use cookies for cross-site tracking beyond what Google Analytics and AdSense require under the IAB TCF.
9. Updates to this policy
If we add, remove, or change any cookie, we will update this page and the "last updated" date. Material changes will require fresh consent via the cookie banner.
10. Related documents
- Privacy policy — full UK GDPR data handling.
- Terms of use — site rules and disclaimers.
11. Contact
Email: [email protected]