Over the last few years pilots have migrated towards the permit scene and the microlights etc and found other things to spend the cash on.
Why in the last few years in particular - that's the real question. Pre-2002, the IMCR issue rate was relatively stable.
As I keep saying, we are looking at a 3x drop. That's a helluva change, somewhere. Microlights etc have been around for donkeys years.
Unlike you I spend a lot of time around flying clubs
bait ignored.
It's true, the fact it may only last 3.5 years does slightly put me off....
It shouldn't put you off. It is a virtual certainty that any "EASA IR" will allow the IMCR training as a credit, as part of any last-hour political deal. And it could get better than that, e.g. a halfway module in the IR into which you get grandfathered, which will have some IMC privileges. But, anyway, the training and the capability to radio navigate are priceless - for the reasons you already know.
If you file and fly under VFR rules but plan and navigate the flight as IFR, your mission capability is dramatically improved, and this is just one bit of what the IMCR gives you.
p.s. Paul I've sent you an email but your email address with pprune is duff. I have sent in a PM.