Ministers say they will allow 1,000 fans into a theatre to watch a snooker final – but are stubbornly refusing to raise the 30-person cap on funerals. To the fury of campaigners and MPs, the Government last night rebuffed calls to review the funeral limit – at the same time as Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said he wanted a full crowd at the world snooker championship final at the Crucible venue in Sheffield. Ministers hinted they may relax social distancing restrictions so grieving relatives can physically comfort each other. But no change is likely until May 17 at the earliest, and Downing Street is refusing to re-examine the cap of 30 for funerals in England.