You are allowed to spend time outside of the UK so long as these periods of absence do not exceed 6 months at any one time. It does not matter how much time you spend outside of the UK in total during the required 5-year continuous residence period provided you return each time after a maximum of 6 months.

For holders of a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) in the United Kingdom, the length of time you can stay outside the country depends on whether you have Limited Leave to Remain or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR/Settled Status). If you have ILR or "Settled Status" under the EU Settlement Scheme, you can generally spend up to five consecutive years (or four years for Swiss citizens) outside the UK without losing your residency status. However, returning to the UK for even a short period within that five-year window "resets the clock." For those with Limited Leave to Remain (a visa that has an expiration date), you can stay outside the UK as long as you wish, provided your visa remains valid and you do not violate its specific terms. However, be aware that for those pursuing ILR, any absence exceeding 180 days in any 12-month period will typically break your "continuous residence," potentially resetting your progress toward permanent status. Always ensure your BRP is valid upon re-entry, as you cannot enter the UK without it.