Cookie policy
Last updated:
Right now we set no cookies at all. The only thing we store on your device is your cookie choice, once you've made one. If we switch on analytics or advertising, those cookies will only be set after you say yes.
What cookies are
Cookies are small files a website saves on your device. Sites can also use similar browser storage, such as "local storage". The UK's Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) treat them all the same way. We need your consent unless the storage is strictly necessary for something you've asked for, or falls under one of the limited exceptions. We apply the same rules to every cookie and storage item listed here.
Strictly necessary
These are always on, because the site can't do what you ask without them.
| Name | Set by / type | Purpose | Expires | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
htp_consent | halftermplanner.co.uk: local storage | Remembers your cookie choices so we don't ask on every page. Only saved once you choose. | 6 months, then we ask again | In use |
Our host, Vercel, sets no cookies on our public pages. The postcode lookup (postcodes.io) sets no cookies either. Calendar downloads and the family planner don't store anything on your device.
Analytics
These help us understand which pages are useful, for example how many people visit and which councils they look up. They are off unless you opt in, and the analytics script doesn't load until you do.
| Name | Set by / type | Purpose | Expires | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics, on this site: cookie | A random ID used to count unique visitors | 13 months | Not in use |
_ga_<ID> | Google Analytics, on this site: cookie | Keeps track of your visit (session) | 13 months | Not in use |
Advertising
These would let our ad partner show ads that pay for the site, measure them and stop fraud, and personalise ads if you agree. They are off unless you opt in. Without your consent, no ad script loads.
| Name | Set by / type | Purpose | Expires | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
__gads | Google AdSense, on this site: cookie | Ad delivery, measurement and frequency capping | 13 months | Not in use |
__gpi | Google AdSense, on this site: cookie | Ad delivery and measurement | 13 months | Not in use |
__eoi | Google AdSense, on this site: cookie | Fraud and abuse prevention for ads | 6 months | Not in use |
IDE | Google (doubleclick.net): third-party cookie | Ad personalisation and measurement across sites | 13 months | Not in use |
We will update this list before switching any of these on. Google may change cookie names and lifetimes. See Google's cookie list for the latest.
Affiliate links
Links marked "Ad" go through the Awin affiliate network to the holiday company. Awin and the holiday company set their own cookies on their own websites after you click, to record that you came from us. We don't set them, and you'll be asked about them on those sites. See Awin's privacy policy.
How we ask for consent
When optional cookies are in use, we show a banner with "Accept all", "Reject all" and "Manage options". Rejecting is as easy as accepting. Until you choose, every optional category is off. We also tell Google's tags that consent is "denied" by default (Google Consent Mode), so they can't store or read cookies.
Changing your mind
You can change or withdraw your consent at any time, using the "Cookie settings" link at the bottom of every page or the button above. If you withdraw consent, we delete the analytics and advertising cookies we can reach and reload the page. You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Blocking our one essential item just means we'll ask about cookies again.
For more on how we use personal data, see our privacy policy.