NI contributions while on Maternity Allowance?

[TimeWasting]

I'm self-employed and paid my Class 2 NI contributions so I'm currently receiving Maternity Allowance. Do my contributions continue while I'm on mat leave?

Last time I was on Mat Allowance I'd been employed on a short-term contract so wasn't officially on mat leave as wasn't employed iyswim, so I'm unsure this time.

Think you'll have the option to make them up, although claiming Child Benefit gives you credit for the time off but does not pay actual contributions.

I carried on paying mine -for the sake of approx £11/month I couldn't be bothered to cancel and restart the DD as I had so many issues getting it set up in the first place. However, you do not need to pay them as your MA covers you for that period.

Im still paying mine, thinking that I'm getting an amazing service from the NHS during maternity and beyond let alone everything else that £11/month isn't that much to put into the public coffer