Latest. When I finished the long phone call mentioned above I asked for someone more senior to call me. I was not hopeful.
But I was called yesterday. Very calm guy from the UK call centre, he went through all the options described in the call earlier in the week - saying that what was offered to me was the best they could do. He clarified the "best" offer - it turned out that the previous advice that it was £22/month was in fact £24/month - because the price goes up by £2/month from 1 April 2020.
However, because I had raised a particular concern he could offer me two possible discounts. I could take a one month subscription holiday - worth £24, or I could have a £6 discount for the next 18 months. 18 x £6 = £108 so that was the best option for me. The offer of £6 month discount would NOT extend my current contract, so, as there was no downside, I accepted that.
I suppose I could have pushed harder, but did not try.
To repeat what I've said before. As soon as sports return (I guess that could be any sport?), the monthly charge goes back up. Anyone who is out of contract can cancel completely - my situation is only relevant if you are within your contract period.
Important: I should have added my thanks to the original poster who mentioned that Sky were offering the pause sport subscription.