Also if you have an IMC your IR (when you get it) will lapse to the IMC for the second year. If you don't have an IMC it just lapses and you can't fly IMC until you renew the IR.
A lot of people don't seem to renew the IR religiously every year instead going for every other year and using the IMC to cover the second year.
Also lets face it theres not much more you can do in the private world with an IR than with an IMC if you stay in the bounds of the UK. If you fly comercially then they renew the IR for you and its no problem.
The IMC is also good fun and a bit more constructive than boring holes in the sky and will teach you more disciplined flying in preparation for the good old IR.