Britain’s inflation rate edged up to 4.8%...

Britain’s inflation rate edged up to 4.8% in July from 4.6% in June, the Employment Department said. The retail price index rose 0.1% in the month, mostly from higher prices of cars, auto insurance, non-seasonal food, electricity and gas, the department said. Prices of fresh food and clothes fell, however. Employment Secretary Norman Fowler said the figures showed that the country’s overall inflationary position had changed little. But analysts said the annual figure could reach 6% by early 1989, compared to 3.3% in January, 1988.