I have followed this thread with interest and have some questions in general, probably due to the fact I have little or no knowledge of UK Air Law.
If flying under VFR in the UK, are you required to remain clear of cloud?
From a statistical point of view, in North America the most likely outcome of venturing into cloud when not flying IFR is a smoking hole in the ground rather than a mid air. How different are the figures in the UK?
If flying practice instrument approaches or let downs, do you have to file IFR or can you do so if you maintain VFR with a safety pilot?
Rgds
CB