The United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Health has confirmed he will sit down with Chief Minister Tony Brown and Health Minister Eddie Teare to talk about the ending of the Reciprocal Health Agreement.

But he has made it clear retaining the agreement is not on the table.

Andy Burnham has written to his Manx counterpart, Mr Teare, to say he is willing to discuss how the end of the agreement for free hospital treatment, can best be managed.

However, he is 'not minded' to reconsider the UK's decision to end it.

Meanwhile, a commissioner in the west of the Island has called for a former health minister to join the delegation to London.

Vice chairman of Michael Commissioners Steve Hamer says another 'big gun' should be sent to argue the Island's case (play audio file):

The Manx Government is awaiting a date for the meeting with Mr Burnham.