EASA PPLs can fly VFR to ICAO VMC minima which are also reflected in the UK ANO as the minima for VFR flight.
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Have I misunderstood/missed something here?
Only that the UK Rules of the Air minima for VFR are in some circumstances less restrictive than the ICAO ones.
The requirement for a PPL without instrument qualification is to fly VFR, whatever that might be in the airspace. SVFR is also an option in a CTR.