Westminster’s Short-Let Battle, M&S’s Festive Success, and Royal Entrepreneurship Dominate Recent Headlines

As 2026 unfolds, the news cycle continues to deliver a rich tapestry of stories, touching on everything from local urban planning woes to global retail triumphs and the intriguing personal lives of public figures. Recent reports from LBC offer a vivid snapshot of these varied narratives, capturing the public’s attention across different spheres.

Westminster Grapples with Persistent Illegal Short-Term Lets

In the heart of London, Westminster residents are reportedly facing a recurring nightmare: the relentless disruption caused by illegal short-term lets. As the new year commenced, what should have been a period of calm after the festive season instead brought a familiar array of late-night gatherings, overflowing bins, and streets that increasingly resemble transient hotel corridors rather than stable communities. This isn’t merely an occasional annoyance; for many, it’s become a defining feature of daily life under the current Labour-run Westminster City Council, as reported by LBC.

The issue isn’t with legitimate, responsibly managed short-term rentals, nor is it about curbing tourism. Instead, the core problem lies with accommodations operating in flagrant violation of existing laws, coupled with what critics describe as a profound failure in enforcement by the Labour administration. The Conservative party, in their previous tenure, had established clear regulations: private homes can only be let for up to 90 nights annually, and council-owned properties are strictly prohibited from subletting. The intention behind these rules was straightforward: to safeguard the housing supply, prevent misuse, and reassure residents that their neighborhoods wouldn’t be overwhelmed by a constant influx of temporary residents who show little regard for established community norms.

However, the efficacy of these laws hinges entirely on their enforcement, an area where the current council is accused of falling short. Complaints from residents, often detailing repeated disturbances, are said to accumulate without substantial intervention. Rogue operators, seemingly aware of the minimal risk of being challenged, reportedly continue their activities unimpeded. The tangible consequences are stark: dirty streets, sleepless nights for neighbors, and a growing perception that the administration, while in office, is not truly in command.

This pattern of inaction, according to LBC, extends beyond the local council. At City Hall, Mayor Sadiq Khan is criticized for failing to demonstrate leadership on this pressing issue, despite his rhetoric about supporting local communities. Similarly, while local Members of Parliament may speak out forcefully, the Labour party at a national level has reportedly not provided the necessary legislative or financial backing for councils to effectively crack down on these illicit operations. The result is a cycle of continued disruption for local people, leaving them feeling unheard and unprotected.

Adding insult to injury, this perceived failure in tackling disorder coincides with projected council tax increases of approximately 27% over the coming years. For residents, this paints a picture of diminishing value for money: higher taxes coupled with a perceived decline in public order and leadership. Illegal short-term lets aren’t just a nuisance; they’re accused of causing significant damage to communities. They contribute to inflated rents, reduce the availability of long-term housing, and erode the very sense of stability that transforms a street into a home rather than a mere thoroughfare. Westminster Conservatives are advocating for robust enforcement of existing rules, firm action against repeat offenders, and improved coordination across council, City Hall, and central government to ensure accountability and deliver the safe, clean city residents expect.

M&S Cheers Record Christmas Shoppers Amidst Cyberattack Fallout

Elsewhere in the retail landscape, Marks & Spencer (M&S) painted a mixed but largely positive picture of its Christmas trading period. The iconic British retailer announced a record number of shoppers during the festive season, primarily driven by a significant surge in food sales. According to LBC’s report, Christmas food ranges were particularly successful, boosting spending and resulting in both higher value and volume of sales. Food sales saw a robust 5.6% like-for-like increase over the 13 weeks leading up to December 27, mirroring the annual growth recorded in 2024.

This impressive performance in the food division was attributed to popular Christmas ranges, along with the consistent strength of its core grocery products and upgrades to various lines, including Italian ready meals, in-store bakery items, and deli offerings. The retailer also highlighted a substantial 20% increase in value-for-money ranges, aided by improved product availability. This success meant fewer markdowns and reduced waste compared to the previous year, underscoring effective inventory management and strong consumer demand for their food offerings.

However, the good news was somewhat tempered by challenges in M&S’s fashion, home, and beauty division. Sales in this segment dipped by 2.9% year-on-year, failing to keep pace with the thriving food business. The company attributed this slowdown partly to reduced high street footfall, indicating fewer visitors to physical stores. A more significant factor, however, was the lingering impact of a major cyber attack that occurred last year. This incident severely disrupted M&S’s stock data and management systems, forcing the retailer to halt all online sales for about six weeks and leading to empty shelves due to logistics system disruptions that followed the attack around the Easter weekend. The cyberattack was previously projected to impact annual profits by approximately £136 million, with about £34 million affecting the final six months of its financial year.

Looking ahead, M&S chief executive Stuart Machin affirmed the company’s ambition to ‘reshape’ the business for continued growth amidst an ‘uncertain consumer environment.’ This strategy includes transforming stores and implementing cost-reduction measures. Machin expressed satisfaction with the Christmas performance, stating, ‘A record number of customers shopped M&S this Christmas. From the festive food shop, to picking up party outfits and gifts, millions more trusted M&S to deliver the family Christmas.’ He acknowledged that the fashion, home & beauty division was ‘getting back on track’ as the company works through the ‘tail end of recovery,’ with improving online performance and a planned larger sale making way for new season lines.

Meghan Markle’s ‘As Ever’ Jam Reportedly Sells Over a Million Jars

In the world of celebrity entrepreneurship, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, appears to have achieved a significant commercial success with her lifestyle brand, ‘As Ever’. According to figures that reportedly emerged following an apparent website glitch, the Duchess has sold close to a million jars of jam. LBC reported that neither Meghan nor her company has officially released sales data, but stock information momentarily visible online suggested a substantial uptake.

A source close to the brand told The Sun, ‘I think it’s fair to say business isn’t just successful, it’s flying off the shelf.’ The same source added that Meghan ‘inadvertently revealed that one million jars were ordered for that one product, and has only 130,000 left.’ The product in question, the Signature Fruit Spread Gift Box, is priced at $42 (approximately £31), which would imply sales revenue of around $36 million (£26.7 million) for the million jars. Initial reports had mistakenly suggested a large number of unsold jars, before it was clarified that this figure represented the remaining stock from the original million-jar order.

Insiders have clarified that not all profits will directly benefit Meghan and Prince Harry, as earnings are shared with Netflix, and a portion of the revenue is expected to be reinvested back into the ‘As Ever’ business. The Duchess is reportedly planning fresh orders for the jam and other products, with international expansion firmly on the horizon. The alleged website glitch is also said to have revealed the scale of other ‘As Ever’ stock, including 80,000 packets of edible flower sprinkles, 30,000 jars of honey, 30,000 mulling kits, nearly 90,000 candles, and 70,000 bottles of wine. Meghan launched ‘As Ever’ in February of last year, and LBC has contacted the brand for official comment.

Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau Share ‘Loved-Up’ Social Media Post

Finally, capturing headlines in the entertainment sphere, pop superstar Katy Perry offered her fans a personal glimpse into her festive season, which included intimate moments with her boyfriend, Justin Trudeau. On January 7, the singer posted an Instagram carousel captioned ‘Holidaze’, showcasing various aspects of her Christmas and New Year break. Among the series of snaps were two images featuring the former Canadian Prime Minister, as reported by LBC.

One photograph depicted Trudeau, 54, smiling while swimming in clear blue ocean water, while another more intimate shot showed Perry, 41, kissing him on the cheek. In this image, Trudeau smiled as he held her close, with the couple posing together on a beach at sunset. Further cementing their relationship’s public display, Perry was also seen wearing a necklace adorned with a gold maple leaf pendant, a subtle nod to Trudeau’s home country.

The ‘Firework’ singer also shared family-oriented moments, including photos from a Christmas tree farm visit with her ex-fiancé Orlando Bloom and their five-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove. One image showed Bloom, 48, carrying a Christmas tree on his shoulder. Perry and Bloom welcomed Daisy in August 2020 and were engaged in February 2019, though they reportedly ended their engagement in June 2025 after nine years together. Other family snapshots included festive place cards, seemingly crafted by Daisy, bearing the names Daisy, Katy, Orlando, and Flynn (Bloom’s 15-year-old son with his ex-wife Miranda Kerr). Earlier reports had suggested Trudeau was actively pursuing the Grammy nominee, even flying to California during a tour break to see her.

From the intricate challenges of urban governance and the complex dynamics of global retail to the unexpected successes of royal ventures and the public displays of celebrity affection, these diverse stories, as highlighted by LBC, underscore the multifaceted nature of current affairs and the wide array of interests that captivate audiences in an ever-evolving media landscape.