Cookie Policy
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function correctly and allow site owners to understand how visitors use their content. This policy explains what cookies we use on theemergence.co.uk, why we use them, and how you can control or withdraw your consent.
This site is operated from the UK. Our use of cookies is governed by UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA), which came into force on 5 February 2026.
Your Consent and Your Rights
When you first visit this site, you will be shown a cookie banner giving you a clear and equal choice to accept or reject non-essential cookies. Rejecting is as easy as accepting — we do not use dark patterns to push you towards acceptance.
You can update or withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the Cookie Settings link in the footer of any page. Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing already carried out.
Under UK GDPR and DUAA, you also have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Request correction or deletion of your personal data
- Object to or restrict how we process your data
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113
Cookies We Use
1. Strictly Necessary Cookies No consent required — these are essential for the site to function.
These cookies cannot be switched off. They are set in response to actions you take, such as setting your privacy preferences or submitting a contact form.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cookie consent preference | Stores your cookie choices | 12 months |
| Session cookies | Keeps the site functional during your visit | Session |
2. Analytics Cookies Legal basis: DUAA Schedule A1 exemption (first-party statistical analytics) — consent not required, but we are transparent about their use.
Under the DUAA 2025, first-party analytics cookies used solely to measure website performance and improve the service are now exempt from the consent requirement under PECR, provided we are transparent about their use. We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for this purpose only. No data is used for advertising or cross-site tracking.
This site uses Google Consent Mode v2. Analytics is configured to collect only aggregate, non-identifiable statistics about site usage — no individual profiling takes place.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga, ga* | Google Analytics | Tracks aggregate site usage | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes sessions | 24 hours |
You can opt out at any time via our Cookie Settings, or by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. For more information, see Google’s Privacy Policy.
3. Functional Cookies Legal basis: DUAA Schedule A1 exemption (functionality/preference adaptation) — consent not required.
These cookies remember basic preferences to improve your experience, such as form details. Under DUAA 2025, cookies that adapt how a site looks or works based on device or user preferences are exempt from consent requirements.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Form preferences | Remembers contact form details | Session |
Cookies We Do Not Use
We do not use advertising, retargeting, or behavioural tracking cookies. We do not share your data with ad networks or third-party data brokers.
How to Manage Cookies
Via our cookie banner: Click “Cookie Settings” in the footer at any time to review or change your preferences.
Via your browser: You can block or delete all cookies through your browser settings, though this may affect how some sites work. Browser guides:
Data Retention
Cookie consent preferences are stored for 12 months, after which we will ask again. Analytics data is retained for up to 14 months in line with Google Analytics default settings.
Complaints
If you have a concern about how we use cookies or handle your data, please contact us in the first instance. We will acknowledge your complaint within 30 days and respond without undue delay, in line with our obligations under DUAA 2025.
If you remain unsatisfied, you can escalate to the ICO at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.
Changes to This Policy
We will update this policy when the law or our use of cookies changes.
Contact
Questions about this policy? Get in touch via our contact page.