FBW,
I think you're wrong about a UK non night rated PPL being able to fly at night without passengers.
The ANO (it's on-line) offers the following....
1 The following ratings may be included in a pilot's licence granted under Part IV of this Order, and, subject to the provisions of this Order and of the licence, the inclusion of a rating in a licence shall have the consequences respectively specified as follows:
Night Rating (Aeroplanes) shall entitle the holder of a United Kingdom Private Pilot's Licence (Aeroplanes) or a United Kingdom Basic Commercial Pilot's Licence (Aeroplanes) to act as pilot in command of an aeroplane at night.
Night qualification (aeroplane) shall entitle the holder of a United Kingdom or a JAR-FCL Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) or a United Kingdom Basic Commercial Pilot's Licence (Aeroplanes) to act as pilot in command of an aeroplane at night.
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As a basic PPL myself, without a night rating, I do not believe I can fly solo at night.
I'm also not aware of "a flight at night by a "PPl with night rating" is "considered" SVFR regardless of the airspace they are flying in, including the open FIR."
In the open FIR at night it must be IFR (it cannot be "considered" anything else). If you have a reference to the contrary I'd be interested to see it.
WF.