Don't confuse visibility (how far you can see in general) with distance from cloud. The cloud impairs your viability in the direction of the cloud but does not change the overall visibility.
Secondly, don't confuse VMC criteria with licence privileges, the latter appear in ANO Schedule 7 and have nothing to do with the VMC minima but both sets of rules apply to a pilot.
The "3000 metre minima" and the "in sight of the surface rules" are part of the licence privileges, soon to change under EASA.
Secondly, can PPLs without any additional ratings fly out of sight of the surface?
Yes, if they have a PPL issued in a State other than the UK. Their minimum visibility is 1500 metres and not restricted to 3K.