This page explains how Civic Affairs uses cookies when you visit civicaffairs.uk, what choices you have, and how to control them. You can adjust your preferences at any time using the consent tool described below, or by changing your browser settings.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device by your web browser when you visit a website. They remember information about your visit, such as your preferences, login status, or how you navigated the site. This helps the site function properly and lets us understand how readers use our journalism.
Cookies can be set by Civic Affairs itself (first-party cookies) or by trusted partners whose services we use (third-party cookies). Some cookies are essential for the site to work; others help us improve your experience or support our funding model.
What categories of cookies do we use?
We use four categories: essential cookies, analytics cookies, advertising cookies, and affiliate tracking cookies. We also embed content from third-party platforms, which may set their own cookies. Each category is explained below.
Essential cookies are required for the basic operation of the site — for example, remembering your cookie consent choice or keeping your session secure. These cannot be turned off through our consent tool.
Analytics cookies help us count visits and see how readers use our pages, so we can improve content and performance. We use services including Google Analytics and Fathom Analytics, depending on your consent choice. No personally identifying information is collected.
Advertising cookies are used to make our display advertising more relevant to you and to limit how often you see an ad. These are managed through our advertising partners, who may use them to build a profile of your interests.
Affiliate tracking cookies allow us to earn a small commission when you click an affiliate link on our site and make a purchase. These cookies help us track that referral securely, at no extra cost to you. Our affiliate relationships are always disclosed in the relevant article.
Embedded media cookies may be set when you watch a video from YouTube or Vimeo, or view content from X (formerly Twitter) or other platforms embedded in our articles. Those platforms set their own cookies subject to their own policies.
How do we obtain your consent?
When you first visit Civic Affairs, a cookie consent banner appears. You can accept all non-essential cookies, reject all, or customise your choice by category. Your choice is stored for 12 months, after which we will ask again. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link in the footer of every page.
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies entirely, though this may affect site functionality. Instructions can usually be found in your browser’s help menu.
How long do cookies last?
Some cookies are “session cookies” and are deleted when you close your browser. Others are “persistent cookies” that remain on your device for a set period, typically up to 12 months for analytics and advertising, or longer for essential settings like your consent preference. We do not use cookies that expire beyond 24 months.
How this works in practice
Suppose you read an article about local government funding that contains an affiliate link to a book on that topic. If you click that link and later buy the book, a temporary affiliate cookie helps us attribute the sale so we receive a small commission. No personal data is shared with the retailer beyond what you provide during your own purchase. Meanwhile, analytics cookies tell us the article is popular among readers in Birmingham, which helps us decide to commission more coverage of Midlands council finance.
How does this relate to our privacy policy?
This cookie policy is part of our overall commitment to transparency. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data more broadly, including information that goes beyond cookies. It covers data you provide directly, such as when you sign up for our newsletter or send us a tip.
Civic Affairs is operated by Sliema Media Limited, a company registered in Malta (company number C 84217), with its registered office at Level 3 Tower Business Centre, Tower Street, Swatar, Birkirkara BKR 4013, Malta. While our operating company is based in Malta, our editorial coverage focuses entirely on UK civic affairs and public policy.
Who can I contact about cookies?
For any questions about this cookie policy, or to exercise your data rights, you can reach our privacy team at privacy@civicaffairs.uk. Our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, Diane Forbes, oversees compliance with editorial data standards. For general enquiries, please see our Contact page. You can also read more about our approach to editorial integrity, our ownership and funding, and our use of AI and automation.
In short
Civic Affairs uses cookies to make the site work, improve our reporting, and support our independent journalism through advertising and affiliate links. You are always in control — you can set your preferences when you first visit, change them later via the footer link, or adjust your browser settings at any time.