Cookies
Last updated: 19 May 2026
This page describes how Public Skills Hub uses cookies and similar technologies, in line with the UK Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and UK GDPR.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that a website places on your device when you visit it. Cookies do many things — remember your preferences, keep you logged in, measure how the site is used, and so on.
What cookies does Public Skills Hub use?
We use a small number of cookies and similar technologies. We do not use advertising cookies, third-party tracking pixels for marketing, or cross-site identifiers.
| Cookie / technology | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga, _ga_* | Google Analytics 4 | Anonymous usage statistics so we can see which guides and tools are most useful and improve them. | Up to 13 months |
| localStorage (Pagefind) | First-party (your browser) | Caches the search index so site search is fast. | Until you clear browser data |
| sessionStorage (exam state) | First-party (your browser) | Saves your exam progress so a page refresh doesn't lose your answers. | Cleared when you close the tab |
Google Analytics: what we collect
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand how the site is used in aggregate. This includes anonymised page views, approximate location (country/region), device type, and how visitors arrive at the site.
We do not use Google Analytics to identify individual users, link your visits to any personal account, or share your data with advertisers. IP addresses are processed by Google in line with their published commitments under UK GDPR.
How to control cookies
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers let you block all cookies, clear cookies after each session, or be warned before a cookie is set. Be aware that disabling cookies may affect how some features work — for example, exam progress will not persist if a refresh clears storage.
To opt out of Google Analytics specifically, you can install the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
Changes to this page
We will update this page if our use of cookies changes. The “Last updated” date at the top reflects the most recent change.
Questions
See our privacy policy for our broader approach to personal data, or contact hello@publicskillshub.co.uk if you have questions about cookies specifically.