CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <!--[if lt IE 9]><html class="lte-ie8 govuk-template" lang="en"><![endif]--><!--[if gt IE 8]><!--><html class="govuk-template" lang="en"> <!--<![endif]--> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("http://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("https://www.gov.uk/help/about-govuk","20220728163332","http://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1659026012"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" /> <!-- End Wayback Rewrite JS Include --> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta property="og:description" content="GOV.UK is the best place to find government services and information for citizens and businesses, guidance for professionals, government policy"> <meta property="og:title" content="About GOV.UK"> <meta property="og:url" content="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help/about-govuk"> <meta property="og:type" content="article"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="GOV.UK"> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"> <meta name="description" content="GOV.UK is the best place to find government services and information for citizens and businesses, guidance for professionals, government policy"> <meta name="govuk:analytics:organisations" content="<OT1056>"> <meta name="govuk:primary-publishing-organisation" content="Government Digital Service"> <meta name="govuk:public-updated-at" content="2014-11-12T12:25:24.000+00:00"> <meta name="govuk:updated-at" content="2022-03-31T14:56:22.235Z"> <meta name="govuk:first-published-at" content="2013-09-02T11:39:37.000+00:00"> <meta name="govuk:content-id" content="464c5c16-dcdb-4ed0-9ba7-341ee652038a"> <meta name="govuk:schema-name" content="help_page"> <meta name="govuk:rendering-app" content="government-frontend"> <meta name="govuk:publishing-app" content="publisher"> <meta name="govuk:format" content="help_page"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <title lang="en"> About GOV.UK - GOV.UK </title> <script src="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/vendor/lux/lux-measurer-505eef3e243b1d08ea7c4b945ebe1ae146d896db61366e415b30cc1bcd84cbdc.js" async="async"></script> <script src="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/rum-loader-c53469dcb841d7b228c914a2e8bdcf3b831a578adf7d4f21cf9da5b85df7381e.js" async="async" data-lux-reporter-script="https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/vendor/lux/lux-reporter-0630526d2811f955ec5e421a6233bd828938bf706c2481233ef4efb8831d0625.js"></script> <meta name="csrf-param" content="authenticity_token"> <meta name="csrf-token" content="R4rzyoau0AGN5g1YY/sa8SmxvzB/SBbXGO2qrm1+OgC4DuDuaCHSN7nyMd6rzrDRMs2QzeqFsiZxCDRyr+FPmA=="> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/application-4f5e3ca914a9cb85040f1aa37dd9bc31f9b074266c62b2740212f1d53ec27742.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/print-53da7f13c2fb1115b956c35ef5e0898aa48fd2e0457f82692fdf8d16ed2e2626.css"> <!--[if lt IE 9]><script src="https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/ie-94963d6661190bc897905bbbe222a31c7ca0aff3a3b9f808ba15d4cd90780a9b.js" crossorigin="anonymous" integrity="sha256-pFJFRKU9V6fiWbS7lmucMlV8mMkgt35S0JMEZCtoQBo="></script><![endif]--> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/favicon-9ed7849c462c53aa2cdf1690eb257e801ecbf5696d1d0928868c5b032b4adb36.ico" type="image/x-icon"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-mask-icon-a409a4db4a5e72c99ae3916653710064c43eb4be35821f79c07c5156e7dc5808.svg" color="#0b0c0c"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-180x180-026deaa34fa328ae5f1f519a37dbd15e6555c5086e1ba83986cd0827a7209902.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="167x167" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-167x167-a44a5b317f51a61950697fbe6c61ffe3b5acdd89de60ef70429daa32881d5279.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-152x152-828a839e5c83de19f98014eef54cec77aa11063a23ce321970d6f9310eeabb6c.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-apple-touch-icon-5f801db05920bd1eb2b27a7a90328599bb16b6344c3213795af0f20d3ca179b0.png"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#0b0c0c"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta property="og:image" content="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332im_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-opengraph-image-dade2dad5775023b0568381c4c074b86318194edb36d3d68df721eea7deeac4b.png"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20220728163332cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/application-ac3c3ac551c20bf3597104c34a0b0bdf9f07b116feba5c0e4a196be0938aa37b.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/web/20220728163332cs_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/print-939bf48b18f4b219ecf55e1c50e64cbc3602d5e0ae89b5d2c33b01acf4aa21c8.css" media="print"> <link rel="canonical" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help/about-govuk"> <meta name="govuk:rendering-application" content="government-frontend"> </head> <body class="gem-c-layout-for-public govuk-template__body"> <script> document.body.className = ((document.body.className) ? document.body.className + ' js-enabled' : 'js-enabled'); </script> <a class="gem-c-skip-link govuk-skip-link govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="govuk-skip-link" href="#content">Skip to main content</a> <div id="global-cookie-message" class="gem-c-cookie-banner govuk-clearfix" data-module="cookie-banner" role="region" aria-label="cookie banner" data-nosnippet> <div class="govuk-cookie-banner js-banner-wrapper" role="region" aria-label="Cookies on GOV.UK"> <div class="gem-c-cookie-banner__message govuk-cookie-banner__message govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <h2 class="govuk-cookie-banner__heading govuk-heading-m">Cookies on GOV.UK</h2> <div class="govuk-cookie-banner__content"> <p class="govuk-body">We use some essential cookies to make this website work.</p> <p class="govuk-body">We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.</p> <p class="govuk-body">We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-button-group"> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-module="gem-track-click" data-accept-cookies="true" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Cookie banner accepted" data-cookie-types="all">Accept additional cookies</button> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-module="gem-track-click" data-reject-cookies="true" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Cookie banner rejected">Reject additional cookies</button> <a class="govuk-link" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help/cookies">View cookies</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation govuk-width-container" tabindex="-1" hidden> <p class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message" role="alert">You can <a class="govuk-link" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Cookie banner settings clicked from confirmation" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help/cookies">change your cookie settings</a> at any time.</p> <div class="govuk-button-group"> <button class="gem-c-cookie-banner__hide-button govuk-button" data-hide-cookie-banner="true" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-category="cookieBanner" data-track-action="Hide cookie banner">Hide this message</button> </div> </div> </div> <header role="banner" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-links-only> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__container govuk-width-container govuk-clearfix"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__header-logo"> <a class="govuk-header__link govuk-header__link--homepage" data-track-action="logoLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="https://www.gov.uk" data-track-dimension="GOV.UK" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/" id="logo" title="Go to the GOV.UK homepage"> <span class="govuk-header__logotype"> <!--[if gt IE 8]><!--> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="govuk-header__logotype-crown gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__logotype-crown" focusable="false" height="30" viewbox="0 0 132 97" width="36" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M25 30.2c3.5 1.5 7.7-.2 9.1-3.7 1.5-3.6-.2-7.8-3.9-9.2-3.6-1.4-7.6.3-9.1 3.9-1.4 3.5.3 7.5 3.9 9zM9 39.5c3.6 1.5 7.8-.2 9.2-3.7 1.5-3.6-.2-7.8-3.9-9.1-3.6-1.5-7.6.2-9.1 3.8-1.4 3.5.3 7.5 3.8 9zM4.4 57.2c3.5 1.5 7.7-.2 9.1-3.8 1.5-3.6-.2-7.7-3.9-9.1-3.5-1.5-7.6.3-9.1 3.8-1.4 3.5.3 7.6 3.9 9.1zm38.3-21.4c3.5 1.5 7.7-.2 9.1-3.8 1.5-3.6-.2-7.7-3.9-9.1-3.6-1.5-7.6.3-9.1 3.8-1.3 3.6.4 7.7 3.9 9.1zm64.4-5.6c-3.6 1.5-7.8-.2-9.1-3.7-1.5-3.6.2-7.8 3.8-9.2 3.6-1.4 7.7.3 9.2 3.9 1.3 3.5-.4 7.5-3.9 9zm15.9 9.3c-3.6 1.5-7.7-.2-9.1-3.7-1.5-3.6.2-7.8 3.7-9.1 3.6-1.5 7.7.2 9.2 3.8 1.5 3.5-.3 7.5-3.8 9zm4.7 17.7c-3.6 1.5-7.8-.2-9.2-3.8-1.5-3.6.2-7.7 3.9-9.1 3.6-1.5 7.7.3 9.2 3.8 1.3 3.5-.4 7.6-3.9 9.1zM89.3 35.8c-3.6 1.5-7.8-.2-9.2-3.8-1.4-3.6.2-7.7 3.9-9.1 3.6-1.5 7.7.3 9.2 3.8 1.4 3.6-.3 7.7-3.9 9.1zM69.7 17.7l8.9 4.7V9.3l-8.9 2.8c-.2-.3-.5-.6-.9-.9L72.4 0H59.6l3.5 11.2c-.3.3-.6.5-.9.9l-8.8-2.8v13.1l8.8-4.7c.3.3.6.7.9.9l-5 15.4v.1c-.2.8-.4 1.6-.4 2.4 0 4.1 3.1 7.5 7 8.1h.2c.3 0 .7.1 1 .1.4 0 .7 0 1-.1h.2c4-.6 7.1-4.1 7.1-8.1 0-.8-.1-1.7-.4-2.4V34l-5.1-15.4c.4-.2.7-.6 1-.9zM66 92.8c16.9 0 32.8 1.1 47.1 3.2 4-16.9 8.9-26.7 14-33.5l-9.6-3.4c1 4.9 1.1 7.2 0 10.2-1.5-1.4-3-4.3-4.2-8.7L108.6 76c2.8-2 5-3.2 7.5-3.3-4.4 9.4-10 11.9-13.6 11.2-4.3-.8-6.3-4.6-5.6-7.9 1-4.7 5.7-5.9 8-.5 4.3-8.7-3-11.4-7.6-8.8 7.1-7.2 7.9-13.5 2.1-21.1-8 6.1-8.1 12.3-4.5 20.8-4.7-5.4-12.1-2.5-9.5 6.2 3.4-5.2 7.9-2 7.2 3.1-.6 4.3-6.4 7.8-13.5 7.2-10.3-.9-10.9-8-11.2-13.8 2.5-.5 7.1 1.8 11 7.3L80.2 60c-4.1 4.4-8 5.3-12.3 5.4 1.4-4.4 8-11.6 8-11.6H55.5s6.4 7.2 7.9 11.6c-4.2-.1-8-1-12.3-5.4l1.4 16.4c3.9-5.5 8.5-7.7 10.9-7.3-.3 5.8-.9 12.8-11.1 13.8-7.2.6-12.9-2.9-13.5-7.2-.7-5 3.8-8.3 7.1-3.1 2.7-8.7-4.6-11.6-9.4-6.2 3.7-8.5 3.6-14.7-4.6-20.8-5.8 7.6-5 13.9 2.2 21.1-4.7-2.6-11.9.1-7.7 8.8 2.3-5.5 7.1-4.2 8.1.5.7 3.3-1.3 7.1-5.7 7.9-3.5.7-9-1.8-13.5-11.2 2.5.1 4.7 1.3 7.5 3.3l-4.7-15.4c-1.2 4.4-2.7 7.2-4.3 8.7-1.1-3-.9-5.3 0-10.2l-9.5 3.4c5 6.9 9.9 16.7 14 33.5 14.8-2.1 30.8-3.2 47.7-3.2z" fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd"> </path> </svg> <!--<![endif]--> <!--[if IE 8]> <img src="https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-logotype-crown-66ad9a9b8fca42cf0ba18979eef6afc2e8056d5f158ca9b27ce9afdf852aae87.png" alt="" class="govuk-header__logotype-crown-fallback-image" width="36" height="32"> <![endif]--> <span class="govuk-header__logotype-text"> GOV.UK </span> </span> </a> </div> <nav aria-labelledby="super-navigation-menu-heading" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__content" data-module="super-navigation-mega-menu"> <h2 id="super-navigation-menu-heading" class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Navigation menu </h2> <button aria-controls="super-navigation-menu" aria-expanded="true" aria-label="Hide navigation menu" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-button" data-text-for-hide="Hide navigation menu" data-text-for-show="Show navigation menu" data-toggle-desktop-group="hidden" data-toggle-mobile-group="top" data-tracking-key="menu" hidden id="super-navigation-menu-toggle" type="button"> <span class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-button-inner"> Menu </span> </button> <ul id="super-navigation-menu" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-items"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item--with-children"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-toggle-wrapper govuk-clearfix"> <a class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse" data-track-dimension="Topics" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse">Topics</a> <button aria-controls="super-navigation-menu__section-1d9c1d9a" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Show Topics menu" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-toggle-button" data-text-for-hide="Hide Topics menu" data-text-for-show="Show Topics menu" data-toggle-desktop-group="top" data-toggle-mobile-group="second" data-tracking-key="topics" hidden="hidden" id="super-navigation-menu__section-1d9c1d9a-toggle" type="button"> <span class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-toggle-button-inner">Topics</span> </button> </div> <div hidden class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-dropdown-menu" id="super-navigation-menu__section-1d9c1d9a"> <div class="govuk-width-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third-from-desktop"> <h3 class="govuk-body-l gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__menu-description"> Find information and services </h3> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds-from-desktop"> <ul class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items--topics"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/benefits" data-track-dimension="Benefits" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits">Benefits</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/births-deaths-marriages" data-track-dimension="Births, death, marriages and care" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages">Births, death, marriages and care</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/business" data-track-dimension="Business and self-employed" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/business">Business and self-employed</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/childcare-parenting" data-track-dimension="Childcare and parenting" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting">Childcare and parenting</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/citizenship" data-track-dimension="Citizenship and living in the UK" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship">Citizenship and living in the UK</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/justice" data-track-dimension="Crime, justice and the law" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice">Crime, justice and the law</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/disabilities" data-track-dimension="Disabled people" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities">Disabled people</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/driving" data-track-dimension="Driving and transport" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving">Driving and transport</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/education" data-track-dimension="Education and learning" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/education">Education and learning</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/employing-people" data-track-dimension="Employing people" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/employing-people">Employing people</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/environment-countryside" data-track-dimension="Environment and countryside" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment-countryside">Environment and countryside</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/housing-local-services" data-track-dimension="Housing and local services" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services">Housing and local services</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/tax" data-track-dimension="Money and tax" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/tax">Money and tax</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/abroad" data-track-dimension="Passports, travel and living abroad" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad">Passports, travel and living abroad</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/visas-immigration" data-track-dimension="Visas and immigration" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration">Visas and immigration</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/browse/working" data-track-dimension="Working, jobs and pensions" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/working">Working, jobs and pensions</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item--with-children"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-toggle-wrapper govuk-clearfix"> <a class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item-link" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/news-and-communications" data-track-dimension="Government activity" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications">Government activity</a> <button aria-controls="super-navigation-menu__section-aa440b11" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Show Government activity menu" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-toggle-button" data-text-for-hide="Hide Government activity menu" data-text-for-show="Show Government activity menu" data-toggle-desktop-group="top" data-toggle-mobile-group="second" data-tracking-key="governmentactivity" hidden="hidden" id="super-navigation-menu__section-aa440b11-toggle" type="button"> <span class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-toggle-button-inner">Government activity</span> </button> </div> <div hidden class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-dropdown-menu" id="super-navigation-menu__section-aa440b11"> <div class="govuk-width-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third-from-desktop"> <h3 class="govuk-body-l gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__menu-description"> Search for a department and find out what the government is doing </h3> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds-from-desktop"> <ul class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items--government-activity"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/government/organisations" data-track-dimension="Departments" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations">Departments</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Departments, agencies and public bodies</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/news-and-communications" data-track-dimension="News" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications">News</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">News stories, speeches, letters and notices</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/guidance-and-regulation" data-track-dimension="Guidance and regulation" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search/guidance-and-regulation">Guidance and regulation</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Detailed guidance, regulations and rules</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/research-and-statistics" data-track-dimension="Research and statistics" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics">Research and statistics</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Reports, analysis and official statistics</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/policy-papers-and-consultations" data-track-dimension="Policy papers and consultations" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations">Policy papers and consultations</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Consultations and strategy</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases" data-track-dimension="Transparency" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases">Transparency</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports</p> </li> </ul> <hr class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-footer-break govuk-section-break govuk-section-break--visible"> <ul class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-footer-list"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-footer-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-footer-link" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/government/how-government-works" data-track-dimension="How government works" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/government/how-government-works">How government works</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-footer-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-footer-link" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/government/get-involved" data-track-dimension="Get involved" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved">Get involved</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <button aria-controls="super-search-menu" aria-expanded="true" aria-label="Hide search menu" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-toggle-button" data-text-for-hide="Hide search menu" data-text-for-show="Show search menu" data-toggle-mobile-group="top" data-toggle-desktop-group="top" data-tracking-key="search" hidden id="super-search-menu-toggle" type="button"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Search GOV.UK </span> <svg class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-toggle-button-link-icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="12.0161" cy="11.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="17.8668" y1="17.3587" x2="26.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> <span aria-hidden="true" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-close-icon" focusable="false"> × </span> </button> <div id="super-search-menu" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-items"> <h3 class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Search </h3> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item"> <a class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item-link" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search"> <span class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item-link-text"> Search GOV.UK </span> <svg class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item-link-icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="10.0161" cy="10.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="15.8668" y1="16.3587" x2="25.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="govuk-width-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-and-popular"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-full"> <form class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-form" id="search" action="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search" method="get" role="search" aria-label="Site-wide"> <div class="gem-c-search govuk-!-display-none-print gem-c-search--large gem-c-search--on-white gem-c-search--separate-label" data-module="gem-toggle-input-class-on-focus"> <label for="search-main-eb7f9d30" class="govuk-label govuk-label--m">Search GOV.UK</label> <div class="gem-c-search__item-wrapper"> <input enterkeyhint="search" class="gem-c-search__item gem-c-search__input js-class-toggle" id="search-main-eb7f9d30" name="q" title="Search" type="search" value=""> <div class="gem-c-search__item gem-c-search__submit-wrapper"> <button class="gem-c-search__submit" type="submit" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-action="searchSubmitted" data-track-label="/search/all" data-track-dimension="Search on GOV.UK" data-track-dimension-index="29" data-module="gem-track-click" enterkeyhint="search"> Search <svg class="gem-c-search__icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="12.0161" cy="11.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="17.8668" y1="17.3587" x2="26.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> </button> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-full"> <h3 class="govuk-heading-m">Popular on GOV.UK</h3> <ul class="govuk-list"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/guidance/move-to-the-uk-if-youre-from-ukraine" data-track-dimension="Moving to the UK from Ukraine" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/move-to-the-uk-if-youre-from-ukraine">Moving to the UK from Ukraine</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/coronavirus" data-track-dimension="Coronavirus (COVID-19)" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus">Coronavirus (COVID-19)</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/find-a-job" data-track-dimension="Find a job" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/find-a-job">Find a job</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/check-benefits-financial-support" data-track-dimension="Check benefits and financial support you can get" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support">Check benefits and financial support you can get</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__popular-link" data-track-action="popularLink" data-track-category="headerClicked" data-track-label="/sign-in-universal-credit" data-track-dimension="Universal Credit account: sign in" data-track-dimension-index="29" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit">Universal Credit account: sign in</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </header> <div class="gem-c-layout-for-public__blue-bar govuk-width-container"></div> <div id="wrapper" class="direction-ltr govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-breadcrumbs"> <div class="gem-c-breadcrumbs govuk-breadcrumbs govuk-breadcrumbs--collapse-on-mobile" data-module="gem-track-click"> <ol class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list"> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-track-category="homeLinkClicked" data-track-action="homeBreadcrumb" data-track-label="" data-track-options="{}" class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/">Home</a> </li> </ol> </div> </div> <main role="main" id="content" class="help-page" lang="en"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-title govuk-!-margin-top-8 govuk-!-margin-bottom-8"> <h1 class="gem-c-title__text govuk-heading-xl"> About GOV.UK </h1> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="responsive-bottom-margin"> <div class="gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak direction-ltr disable-youtube" data-module="govspeak"> <p>GOV.UK is the website for the UK government. It’s the best place to find government services and information.</p> <p>The site is maintained by the <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-digital-service">Government Digital Service (<abbr title="Government Digital Service">GDS</abbr>)</a>.</p> <h2 id="whats-on-govuk">What’s on GOV.UK</h2> <p>You can find:</p> <ul> <li>information and services for citizens and businesses</li> <li>detailed guidance for professionals</li> <li>information on government and policy</li> </ul> <h2 id="how-govuk-is-updated">How GOV.UK is updated</h2> <p>We work closely with every government department to make sure all the information on GOV.UK is accurate and up to date.</p> <p>GOV.UK is also updated based on results from user research and feedback from members of the public.</p> <h2 id="tracking-users">Tracking users</h2> <p>We track how you use GOV.UK, but we do not collect or store your personal information (such as your name or address) while you’re browsing. This means that you cannot be personally identified.</p> <p>We use Google Analytics software to track:</p> <ul> <li>what pages you visit</li> <li>how long you use the site</li> <li>how you got to the site and what links you clicked on</li> </ul> <p>We do not allow Google to share this data with anyone else.</p> <h2 id="reuse-information-published-on-govuk">Reuse information published on GOV.UK</h2> <p>You can republish any of the content on GOV.UK, as long as you meet the conditions of the <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/">Open Government Licence</a>.</p> <h2 id="links-to-other-sites-from-govuk">Links to other sites from GOV.UK</h2> <p>GOV.UK links to external organisations when that link is essential for helping someone complete a task that they begin on the site.</p> <p>For example, there’s a link from the content on university applications to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.</p> <p>We will only consider link requests if the website falls into this ‘essential’ category.</p> <p>You can <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk">ask for a link to be added</a> to GOV.UK.</p> <h2 id="data-sets-on-govuk">Data sets on GOV.UK</h2> <p>GOV.UK uses several data sets to help make the website better.</p> <p>For example, data is used to take you to your council’s website if you want to know what day your bin’s collected.</p> <p>Many of these data sets are used under the <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/">Open Government Licence</a>.</p> <p>We use:</p> <ul> <li> <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/http://id.esd.org.uk/ServiceList">Local Government Service List</a> and <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/http://id.esd.org.uk/list/interactions">Local Government Interaction List</a> by <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/http://esd.org.uk/">esd-toolkit</a> </li> <li> <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/products/boundary-line/index.html">Boundary-Line</a> from <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/">Ordnance Survey</a> </li> <li> <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/geography/geographicalproducts/postcodeproducts">ONS Postcode Directory</a> from <a rel="external" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/index.html">Office for National Statistics</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="app-c-published-dates" lang="en"> Last updated 12 November 2014 </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-sidebar"> <div class="gem-c-related-navigation"> <h2 id="related-nav-related_items-a3816988" class="gem-c-related-navigation__main-heading" data-track-count="sidebarRelatedItemSection"> Related content </h2> <nav role="navigation" class="gem-c-related-navigation__nav-section" aria-labelledby="related-nav-related_items-a3816988" data-module="gem-toggle"> <ul class="gem-c-related-navigation__link-list" data-module="gem-track-click"> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.1 Related content" data-track-label="/help/privacy-notice" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension28&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Privacy notice&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help/privacy-notice">Privacy notice</a></li> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--other" data-track-category="relatedLinkClicked" data-track-action="1.2 Related content" data-track-label="/help/terms-conditions" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension28&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Terms and conditions&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help/terms-conditions">Terms and conditions</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-footer"> </div> </div> </div> </main> </div> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-feedback govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="feedback"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt gem-c-feedback__js-show js-prompt" tabindex="-1"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions js-prompt-questions" hidden> <h2 class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-question">Is this page useful?</h2> <ul class="gem-c-feedback__option-list"> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item govuk-visually-hidden" style="display: none" hidden> <a class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-link" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffMaybeClick" role="button" style="display: none" hidden="hidden" aria-hidden="true" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk"> Maybe </a> </li> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item"> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-page-is-useful" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffYesClick"> Yes <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">this page is useful</span> </button> </li> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item"> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-toggle-form js-page-is-not-useful" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffNoClick" aria-controls="page-is-not-useful" aria-expanded="false"> No <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">this page is not useful</span> </button> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions gem-c-feedback__prompt-success js-prompt-success" role="alert" hidden> Thank you for your feedback </div> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions--something-is-wrong js-prompt-questions" hidden> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-toggle-form js-something-is-wrong" data-track-category="Onsite Feedback" data-track-action="GOV-UK Open Form" aria-controls="something-is-wrong" aria-expanded="false"> Report a problem with this page </button> </div> </div> <form action="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk/problem_reports" id="something-is-wrong" class="gem-c-feedback__form js-feedback-form" data-track-category="Onsite Feedback" data-track-action="GOV.UK Send Form" method="post" hidden> <button class="govuk-button govuk-button--secondary gem-c-feedback__close gem-c-feedback__js-show js-close-form" data-track-category="Onsite Feedback" data-track-action="GOV.UK Close Form" aria-controls="something-is-wrong" aria-expanded="true"> Close </button> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__error-summary gem-c-feedback__js-show js-errors" tabindex="-1" hidden></div> <input type="hidden" name="url" value="https://www.gov.uk/help/about-govuk"> <h3 class="gem-c-feedback__form-heading">Help us improve GOV.UK</h3> <p id="feedback_explanation" class="gem-c-feedback__form-paragraph">Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.</p> <div class="govuk-visually-hidden" aria-hidden="true"> <label for="giraffe">This field is for robots only. Please leave blank</label> <input id="giraffe" name="giraffe" type="text" pattern=".{0}" tabindex="-1" autocomplete="off"> </div> <div class="gem-c-textarea govuk-form-group govuk-!-margin-bottom-6"> <label for="textarea-73180b1d" class="gem-c-label govuk-label">What were you doing?</label> <textarea name="what_doing" class="govuk-textarea" id="textarea-73180b1d" rows="3" spellcheck="true" aria-describedby="feedback_explanation"> </textarea> </div> <div class="gem-c-textarea govuk-form-group govuk-!-margin-bottom-6"> <label for="textarea-44b7830a" class="gem-c-label govuk-label">What went wrong?</label> <textarea name="what_wrong" class="govuk-textarea" id="textarea-44b7830a" rows="3" spellcheck="true"> </textarea> </div> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit">Send</button> </div> </div> </form> <script> document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () { var input = document.querySelector("#giraffe"), form = document.querySelector("#something-is-wrong") form.addEventListener("submit", spamCapture); function spamCapture(e) { if (input.value.length !== 0) return; e.preventDefault(); } }); </script> <form action="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk/email-survey-signup" id="page-is-not-useful" class="gem-c-feedback__form gem-c-feedback__form--email gem-c-feedback__js-show js-feedback-form" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="Send Form" method="post"> <button class="govuk-button govuk-button--secondary gem-c-feedback__close js-close-form" data-track-category="yesNoFeedbackForm" data-track-action="ffFormClose" aria-controls="page-is-not-useful" aria-expanded="true" hidden> Close </button> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds" id="survey-wrapper"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__error-summary js-errors" tabindex="-1" hidden></div> <input name="email_survey_signup[survey_id]" type="hidden" value="footer_satisfaction_survey"> <input name="email_survey_signup[survey_source]" type="hidden" value="/help/about-govuk"> <h3 class="gem-c-feedback__form-heading">Help us improve GOV.UK</h3> <p id="survey_explanation" class="gem-c-feedback__form-paragraph">To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.</p> <div class="govuk-form-group"> <label for="input-ab0884a7" class="gem-c-label govuk-label">Email address</label> <input aria-describedby="survey_explanation" autocomplete="email" class="gem-c-input govuk-input" id="input-ab0884a7" name="email_survey_signup[email_address]" spellcheck="false" type="email"> </div> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit">Send me the survey</button> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <footer class="gem-c-layout-footer govuk-footer gem-c-layout-footer--border" role="contentinfo"> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-footer__navigation" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-links-only> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds govuk-!-display-none-print"> <h2 class="govuk-footer__heading govuk-heading-m">Topics</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__list govuk-footer__list--columns-2"> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/benefits" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Benefits&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits">Benefits</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/births-deaths-marriages" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Births, death, marriages and care&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages">Births, death, marriages and care</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/business" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Business and self-employed&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/business">Business and self-employed</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/childcare-parenting" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Childcare and parenting&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting">Childcare and parenting</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/citizenship" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Citizenship and living in the UK&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship">Citizenship and living in the UK</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/justice" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Crime, justice and the law&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice">Crime, justice and the law</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/disabilities" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Disabled people&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities">Disabled people</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/driving" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Driving and transport&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving">Driving and transport</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/education" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Education and learning&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/education">Education and learning</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/employing-people" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Employing people&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/employing-people">Employing people</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/environment-countryside" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Environment and countryside&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment-countryside">Environment and countryside</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/housing-local-services" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Housing and local services&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services">Housing and local services</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/tax" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Money and tax&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/tax">Money and tax</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/abroad" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Passports, travel and living abroad&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad">Passports, travel and living abroad</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/visas-immigration" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Visas and immigration&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration">Visas and immigration</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="topicsLink" data-track-label="/browse/working" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Working, jobs and pensions&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/browse/working">Working, jobs and pensions</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third govuk-!-display-none-print"> <h2 class="govuk-footer__heading govuk-heading-m">Government activity</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__list govuk-footer__list--columns-1"> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/government/organisations" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Departments&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations">Departments</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/news-and-communications" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;News&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications">News</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/guidance-and-regulation" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Guidance and regulation&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search/guidance-and-regulation">Guidance and regulation</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/research-and-statistics" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Research and statistics&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics">Research and statistics</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/policy-papers-and-consultations" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Policy papers and consultations&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations">Policy papers and consultations</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Transparency&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases">Transparency</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/government/how-government-works" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;How government works&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/government/how-government-works">How government works</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="governmentactivityLink" data-track-label="/government/get-involved" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Get involved&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved">Get involved</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <hr class="govuk-footer__section-break"> <div class="govuk-footer__meta"> <div class="govuk-footer__meta-item govuk-footer__meta-item--grow"> <h2 class="govuk-visually-hidden">Support links</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__inline-list govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-links-only> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Help&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help">Help</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/privacy-notice" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Privacy&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help/privacy-notice">Privacy</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/cookies" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Cookies&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help/cookies">Cookies</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/accessibility-statement" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Accessibility statement&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help/accessibility-statement">Accessibility statement</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/contact" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Contact&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/contact">Contact</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/help/terms-conditions" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Terms and conditions&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help/terms-conditions">Terms and conditions</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" lang="cy" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/cymraeg" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Rhestr o Wasanaethau Cymraeg&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/cymraeg">Rhestr o Wasanaethau Cymraeg</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-action="supportLink" data-track-label="/government/organisations/government-digital-service" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;:&quot;Government Digital Service&quot;}" href="/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-digital-service">Government Digital Service</a> </li> </ul> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" class="govuk-footer__licence-logo" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 483.2 195.7" height="17" width="41"> <path fill="currentColor" d="M421.5 142.8V.1l-50.7 32.3v161.1h112.4v-50.7zm-122.3-9.6A47.12 47.12 0 0 1 221 97.8c0-26 21.1-47.1 47.1-47.1 16.7 0 31.4 8.7 39.7 21.8l42.7-27.2A97.63 97.63 0 0 0 268.1 0c-36.5 0-68.3 20.1-85.1 49.7A98 98 0 0 0 97.8 0C43.9 0 0 43.9 0 97.8s43.9 97.8 97.8 97.8c36.5 0 68.3-20.1 85.1-49.7a97.76 97.76 0 0 0 149.6 25.4l19.4 22.2h3v-87.8h-80l24.3 27.5zM97.8 145c-26 0-47.1-21.1-47.1-47.1s21.1-47.1 47.1-47.1 47.2 21 47.2 47S123.8 145 97.8 145"></path> </svg> <span class="govuk-footer__licence-description" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-action="copyrightLink" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-label="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;: &quot;Open Government Licence v3.0&quot;}" data-track-links-only> All content is available under the <a class="govuk-footer__link" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/" rel="license">Open Government Licence v3.0</a>, except where otherwise stated </span> </div> <div class="govuk-footer__meta-item" data-module="gem-track-click" data-track-action="copyrightLink" data-track-category="footerClicked" data-track-label="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/re-using-public-sector-information/uk-government-licensing-framework/crown-copyright/" data-track-options="{&quot;dimension29&quot;: &quot;© Crown copyright&quot;}" data-track-links-only> <a class="govuk-footer__link govuk-footer__copyright-logo" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/re-using-public-sector-information/uk-government-licensing-framework/crown-copyright/">© Crown copyright</a> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script src="http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/application-44ff1ed91291e61cd40184989a9c3a65a0523a005f3619e6c7cf28d57ccbcae1.js"></script> <script src="/web/20220728163332js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/application-0665e4f7d621d8c4d3384bcdba76c752386359908453809a1cc8dd282caae218.js"></script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/http://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/help/about-govuk" }, "name": "About GOV.UK", "datePublished": "2013-09-02T11:39:37.000+00:00", "dateModified": "2014-11-12T12:25:24.000+00:00", "text": "GOV.UK is the best place to find government services and information for citizens and businesses, guidance for professionals, government policy", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "GOV.UK", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-logo-73b5a4056ffe9988d02c728b56fe9fe7f90bb822322a5f6183ccbb92a99b019a.png" } }, "image": [ "http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-1x1-bf9e64d759af6dfd93bede8168f3087a329f405b382aff36747db0db4b7b23e9.png", "http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-4x3-13093f053c15f613acd827aff27cac83d3fab452947cbcae4c7b706dadf2f7f2.png", "http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-16x9-4233cd42671827e266e284c4d5ae68fb600bd9f9e35dda663ccabbc2b6ab7ec3.png" ], "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Government Digital Service", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-digital-service" }, "headLine": "About GOV.UK", "description": "GOV.UK is the best place to find government services and information for citizens and businesses, guidance for professionals, government policy", "articleBody": "\u003cp\u003eGOV.UK is the website for the UK government. It’s the best place to find government services and information.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe site is maintained by the \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-digital-service\"\u003eGovernment Digital Service (\u003cabbr title=\"Government Digital Service\"\u003eGDS\u003c/abbr\u003e)\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"whats-on-govuk\"\u003eWhat’s on GOV.UK\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou can find:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003einformation and services for citizens and businesses\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003edetailed guidance for professionals\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003einformation on government and policy\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"how-govuk-is-updated\"\u003eHow GOV.UK is updated\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe work closely with every government department to make sure all the information on GOV.UK is accurate and up to date.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGOV.UK is also updated based on results from user research and feedback from members of the public.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"tracking-users\"\u003eTracking users\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe track how you use GOV.UK, but we do not collect or store your personal information (such as your name or address) while you’re browsing. This means that you cannot be personally identified.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe use Google Analytics software to track:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ewhat pages you visit\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ehow long you use the site\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ehow you got to the site and what links you clicked on\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe do not allow Google to share this data with anyone else.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"reuse-information-published-on-govuk\"\u003eReuse information published on GOV.UK\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou can republish any of the content on GOV.UK, as long as you meet the conditions of the \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/\"\u003eOpen Government Licence\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"links-to-other-sites-from-govuk\"\u003eLinks to other sites from GOV.UK\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGOV.UK links to external organisations when that link is essential for helping someone complete a task that they begin on the site.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, there’s a link from the content on university applications to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe will only consider link requests if the website falls into this ‘essential’ category.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou can \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk\"\u003eask for a link to be added\u003c/a\u003e to GOV.UK.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"data-sets-on-govuk\"\u003eData sets on GOV.UK\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGOV.UK uses several data sets to help make the website better.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, data is used to take you to your council’s website if you want to know what day your bin’s collected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMany of these data sets are used under the \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/\"\u003eOpen Government Licence\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe use:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://id.esd.org.uk/ServiceList\"\u003eLocal Government Service List\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://id.esd.org.uk/list/interactions\"\u003eLocal Government Interaction List\u003c/a\u003e by \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://esd.org.uk/\"\u003eesd-toolkit\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/products/boundary-line/index.html\"\u003eBoundary-Line\u003c/a\u003e from \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/\"\u003eOrdnance Survey\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/geography/geographicalproducts/postcodeproducts\"\u003eONS Postcode Directory\u003c/a\u003e from \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/index.html\"\u003eOffice for National Statistics\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n" } </script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/http://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "name": "Home", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20220728163332/https://www.gov.uk/" } } ] } </script> </body> </html> <!-- FILE ARCHIVED ON 16:33:32 Jul 28, 2022 AND RETRIEVED FROM THE INTERNET ARCHIVE ON 05:43:47 Dec 02, 2024. JAVASCRIPT APPENDED BY WAYBACK MACHINE, COPYRIGHT INTERNET ARCHIVE. ALL OTHER CONTENT MAY ALSO BE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT (17 U.S.C. SECTION 108(a)(3)). --> <!-- playback timings (ms): captures_list: 0.703 exclusion.robots: 0.051 exclusion.robots.policy: 0.036 esindex: 0.011 cdx.remote: 20.565 LoadShardBlock: 74.961 (3) PetaboxLoader3.datanode: 73.211 (4) load_resource: 642.41 PetaboxLoader3.resolve: 602.286 -->

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10