Cookies page
Standard content and layout for the cookies page on a DWP service
This template includes the standard content and layout for the cookies page on a DWP service. The cookies page is part of the GOV.UK Cookies page pattern, which also includes a cookie banner and detailed guidance on implementation.
Use this template on any DWP service that needs consent to set cookies. This usually means any service that is not used solely by DWP staff. Consult a Performance Analyst if you are not sure whether your service needs cookie consent.
Principles
Users must be able to:
- understand how your service uses cookies and which cookies it uses
- easily find and change their consent preferences at any time
Writing your cookies page
Follow the steps in the GOV.UK Design System Cookies page pattern. Before you can write your cookies page you will need to audit and categorise the cookies used on your service.
When you come to the section 'Writing your cookies page', use the examples given here as a template. There are two versions of the sample text:
- for services that only use Google Analytics cookies
- for services that also use other optional cookies
Standard text
The introductory text explaining cookies is approved for use across DWP so do not change it or add to it unnecessarily.
Google Analytics cookies
Use the following standard names and descriptions for Google Analytics cookies:
| Name | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| _ga | Checks if you have visited before so we can count how many people use the service. | 2 years |
| _ga_<container-id> | Collects information about how you use the service so we can make it better. | 2 years |
Text you will need to change
You will need to:
- replace [service name] with the name of your own service
- change the categories to match those used in your service (identified in your cookie audit)
- write your own description of what each cookie does
Write the cookie descriptions in plain language so that a non-technical user can understand them. For the cookie duration, use the units that are easiest to understand for each cookie: for example, write ‘20 hours’ instead of ‘1200 minutes’.
Services with other optional cookies
If your service has more than one category of optional cookie (not just analytics cookies), users should be able to accept or reject each category individually. This example shows how to organise multiple optional cookie categories.
Preselect radio buttons
Radios should be preselected with the 'Reject' option when a user visits this page for the first time.
This is different from the guidance for radio buttons on question pages. There is an issue in the GOV.UK Design System backlog discussing when preselecting radios can be useful.
Linking to the cookies page
Include a link to the cookies page in the footer of your service using the link text 'Cookies'.
Discuss on GitHub
There is a public discussion for this topic on GitHub where you can share anything you think might be useful. Discuss Cookies page on GitHub.
Could we improve this page?
Send questions, comments or suggestions to the DWP Design System team.
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