Cookie Policy
What cookies and local storage this website uses, why, and how to control them.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device by websites you visit. They help websites remember your preferences and understand how you use the site. Local storage is a similar browser technology that stores data locally without sending it to a server.
2. Cookies and Local Storage We Use
We use browser localStorage for essential preferences, plus two analytics technologies with different rules:
- Visit statistics (Google Analytics 4) — on by default under the statistics exception in PECR regulation 6 (introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, in force since 5 February 2026): anonymous visit counting purely to improve this site, with no advertising and no data shared with third parties for their own purposes. You can switch it off at any time — button below, or the "Cookie settings" link in the footer.
- Session recordings (Microsoft Clarity) — run only with your consent given via the banner or the settings. Without consent, Clarity is never loaded at all.
Essential (localStorage) — Always Active
These are required for the website to function. They are stored only in your browser and never sent to any server.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
snl-cookies-v3 | Remembers your consent choice per category (necessary / analytics / functional) | Persistent (until cleared) |
snl-lang | Stores your preferred language | Persistent (until cleared) |
snl-checklist-* | Saves your progress on step-by-step checklists | Persistent (until cleared) |
snl-tab-* | Remembers which tab you last viewed on a page | Persistent (until cleared) |
Statistics — Google Analytics 4 (on by default, with a right to opt out)
We use Google Analytics 4 (measurement ID: G-XQKR0VRM9V) for anonymous visit statistics. The legal basis is the statistics exception in PECR regulation 6 (Data (Use and Access) Act 2025) and the ICO's guidance on storage and access technologies of 29 April 2026. We meet the exception's conditions as follows:
- Statistics only, to improve this site — no advertising: Google's ad features are permanently denied (
ad_storage: denied), Google Signals is not used, and no ads accounts are linked. - No sharing with third parties for their purposes — all Google data-sharing settings (data sharing, benchmarking) are switched off in GA4 admin; the IP address is always anonymised.
- A simple, free opt-out — the "Statistics" toggle in cookie settings. Once off, the counter is disabled and the
_gacookies are deleted.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_ga | Distinguishes unique visitors (anonymised) | 2 years |
_ga_XQKR0VRM9V | Maintains session state for Google Analytics | 2 years |
Session recordings — Microsoft Clarity (only with your consent)
Microsoft Clarity records how a page is used (clicks, scrolling, movement) so we can find and fix confusing spots. This is user-level monitoring, so it is not covered by the statistics exception and runs strictly on consent: unless you choose "Allow recordings", the Clarity script is never loaded and no cookies are set. You can withdraw consent at any time in cookie settings — recording stops and the cookies are deleted.
| Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
_clck | Clarity identifier for this browser | 1 year |
_clsk | Links actions within a single session | 1 day |
Third-Party Cookies
| Provider | Purpose | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | CDN, security, and (optionally) cookieless Web Analytics. May set __cf_bm or similar cookies for bot management. | Cloudflare Cookie Policy |
| Google Fonts | Font delivery. Google may collect your IP address. | Google Privacy Policy |
3. How to Control Cookies
You have several options for controlling cookies:
- Banner — On your first visit the site asks only about session recordings (Clarity). Your choice is remembered.
- Cookie settings — The button above, or "Cookie settings" in the footer: switch statistics (Google Analytics) off, grant or withdraw session recordings, and manage functional cookies — at any time.
- Browser settings — Most browsers let you block or delete cookies. See your browser's help pages for instructions:
- Clear localStorage — In your browser's developer tools (F12), go to Application > Local Storage and clear data for startnewlife.uk.
Note: Blocking essential localStorage may affect website functionality (e.g., your language choice will not be remembered).
4. Changes to This Policy
We may update this cookie policy from time to time. The latest version is always available on this page.
Last updated: July 2026 — statistics (GA4) moved to the PECR statistics exception (Data (Use and Access) Act 2025) with a one-click opt-out; session recordings (Clarity) remain strictly consent-based.
5. Contact
If you have questions about our use of cookies, contact us at hello@snluk.org.
For full details on how we handle your data, see our Privacy Policy.