Can I be self-employed without losing my SMP?

[chocolatecrispies]

I have an opportunity to work 1/2 day a week self-employed whilst on the second half of my M/L - can anyone tell me whether this would mean I would have to lose my SMP and where to look for information about the legalities?

I almost certain you can't do this.
once you commence earning again you lose smp afaik.

dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/ni17a-a-guide-to-maternity/statutory-maternity-pay-smp/working-in-your-maternity-pay/

You'd lost your SMP, it's payable to people who cant work due to baby care, by definition you're proving you can work and don't need the benefit. Your employment contract may also preclude being self employed, mine does.

Yes as long as it's genuinely self-employment you can do it without losing your SMP. As soon as you start work for an employer (rather than a client), your SMP stops.

I wondered about this.
The link posted by hairylights says "If you do any work in a self-employed capacity during your Maternity Pay Period, then such work will not affect your SMP."

That's exactly right seoladair. Bit of an anomaly but that's the deal.