A Conservative minister was urged to admit lockdown would likely last more than a month, with the Government described as "boxing with a ghost".
Oliver Dowden said thrusting England into a second set of draconian measures until December 2 was all about protecting the struggling NHS.
However, an out-of-work theatre director demanded Downing Street be "honest, open and find a road map" out of the pandemic, admitting he is on the verge of losing his home due to the stop-start furlough scheme.
During a fiery debate on BBC's Question Time, Mr Dowden, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, remained adamant the Government intended to lift the lockdown on the date set.
Read more on mirror.co.uk