Loyal Octopus Exit Fees!

PHILMSE

Yes. Not good.
I too got conflicting advice from different advisors.
It is understandable that they would prefer you to stay on the more expensive tariff. 
My guess is that whilst you have a statutary right to switch providers within 49 days, doing an internal switch to a new tariff from the same provider is at their discretion.
However there should ensure that all their advisors are reading off their same rule sheet.
It is good that they have now removed the exit fees on their fixed tariff. It makes the decision to go for this, albeit slightly more expensive than their current variable tariff, with the hope of saving in the long term, an easier one.