Not so. A CPL may hold an IMC rating. The IMC grants full privileges to fly IFR (IMC or VFR) in UK Airspace except: IMC within Class A airspace and is also required to have a visibility of 1500 metres for take-off and landing. It is recommended that the IMC rated pilot adds at least 200 feet to the published approach minima but it is for the pilot to decide.
The IMC rating has not been replaced. The IR(R) is not a rating, it is simply a means to add the rating to a EASA licence. If you hold a UK PPL/CPL and a EASA compliant PPL/CPL the IMC is added using the correct name to the UK national licence but when entered into the EASA compliant licence it is added as a IR(R).