Stinger ....well said..
You are quite right ... the modern (?) trend is towards IFR capability even though your aircraft may not have to venture into IMC ... I fly mostly offshore and outside the UK (though do have a UK ATPL in my collection) and find it interesting when talking to some collegues that there can quite a lot of confusion about IFR Vs IMC and even when one can be (Spec) VFR in a Heli but be (legally) in IMC ... sometime not helped by the fact that "Heli Special VFR" minimas can be lower than some IFR minimas!!!
Ironic aint it!
Cheers
Having said that the I/F Rating IS arguably the most useful thing you can have after getting your CPL.