In effect, the rules allow us to fly "special VFR" at night, although that general term isn't used in the regulations.
I'm not sure that I'd go along with that - SVFR is the basis for an ATC clearance under, arguably, a not very well defined set of rules. I would think it's more correct to say that in the UK the IFR allow us to fly visually at night in certain circumstances (and in full compliance with the IFR).