Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how CivicInsight.uk (operated by Civic Insight Media Ltd.) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website. It explains what cookies are, the categories we use, why we use them, and how you can manage your consent. This policy forms part of our broader commitment to transparency and your privacy.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognise your device and remember certain information about your visit, such as your preferences or actions. Cookies are widely used to make websites work efficiently and to provide information to the site owner.
Categories of Cookies We Use
We use the following categories of cookies on CivicInsight.uk:
- Strictly Necessary Cookies: These cookies are essential for the operation of our website. They enable core functions such as security, network management, and accessibility. Without these cookies, the website cannot function properly. They do not collect information for marketing purposes and are set in response to actions you take, such as setting your privacy preferences or logging in.
- Analytics and Performance Cookies: These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us understand which pages are most and least popular, how visitors move around the site, and whether users encounter errors. All information collected by these cookies is aggregated and anonymous. We use this data to refine our editorial content and user experience.
- Advertising Cookies (where applicable): We may use advertising cookies to deliver relevant advertisements to you and to measure the effectiveness of our commercial partnerships. These cookies track your browsing habits across websites and build a profile of your interests. Where we use such cookies, we will seek your explicit consent before they are placed. Any sponsored content on our site is clearly labelled, and commercial partners never influence editorial decisions.
Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies to ensure our website functions securely and reliably, to analyse how our readers engage with our reporting on UK public affairs, and to support our funding model through advertising and commercial partnerships. This allows us to continue providing independent, in-depth coverage of policy, local government, and current affairs without compromising editorial integrity.
Consent and How to Manage or Withdraw It
When you first visit CivicInsight.uk, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner. You may accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customise your preferences. You can change or withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your settings through the cookie preference tool available on our site. Alternatively, you can manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. For detailed instructions, please refer to your browser’s help section or visit aboutcookies.org. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
Third-Party Cookies
Some pages on CivicInsight.uk may include embedded content from third-party services (such as videos, social media feeds, or interactive data visualisations). These third parties may set their own cookies on your device. We also work with advertising partners who may place cookies to serve targeted advertisements. We do not control these third-party cookies, and you should review the privacy and cookie policies of those providers for further information.
Retention Periods
Cookies on our site are retained for different periods depending on their purpose. Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period (typically up to 12 months for analytics cookies) or until you manually delete them. We review our cookie retention periods regularly to ensure they are proportionate and necessary.
Relation to Our Privacy Policy
This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides detailed information on how we collect, use, and protect your personal data. For more about our editorial standards and transparency, please see our Sources & Standards page and our Editorial Policy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact our privacy team at privacy@civicinsight.uk. You can also reach us via our Contact page. For more information about our organisation, visit our About Us page or learn about our Ownership & Funding.