The decision to allow longer operating hours looks like a local planning issue, rather than a flying regs one.
As for having to fly all night flights under IFR---I disagree with that too.... Lets fly IMC under IFR, but I see nothing wrong with flying VFR night flights....I have many hours at night and never encountered IMC, yet have come close to going inadvertent IMC during daylight. The accident rate of EMS flights in the US is not limited to night time.
If you look at the UK ANO IFR rules in detail there is actually a dispensation/let out clause for night ops below 3,000 ft. Although it doesn't use the term, it esentially means that we can fly "special VFR" in Class G at night whilst being deemed to be under IFR.