BUT
it's VERY useful if
(a) you know the training area is VMC but there's some cloud en route
(b) for teaching the instrument part of the PPL course in actual IMC, much better than under the hood.
(c) the weather turns bad whilst you're airborne and you have to divert
ALSO it's a good skill to keep up. Helps keep the rest of your flying sharper.
It used to be a requirement for the issue of an unrestricted BCPL.
TOO