"In the north east, there, they have had quite a bit of government offices moving in. It's not a new policy"

The quote by John Prescott highlights the moving of federal government offices to the northeastern regions, recommending it belongs to an existing strategy instead of a novel effort. Here's an interpretation and expedition of this remark:

First of all, the declaration directs attention to the northeast of England, a region that has actually historically faced financial obstacles compared to the country's more prosperous locations. The movement of government offices to the area might be part of efforts to decentralize governmental functions, stimulate local economies, and reduce disparities in between different parts of the UK.

The expression "a fair bit" indicates that this moving is not unimportant; there have been various offices moved, reflecting a notable administrative shift. This might be part of broader city preparation and economic strategies designed to produce tasks, boost regional economies, and encourage local development. In moving federal government workplaces from London and the southeast, where they are concentrated, the effort might also intend to minimize congestion and the overburdening of resources in the capital.

The latter part of the quote, "It's not a new policy", suggests that the move belongs to a continuous or longstanding government technique rather than a spur-of-the-moment decision. This aspect of the declaration opens questions into the historic context of regional development policies in the UK. The mention of it not being new could reference efforts or discussions about the decentralization of power and resources, themes talked about in the UK political landscape for years.

Overall, Prescott's remark possibly highlights a purposeful and constant policy approach to mitigating regional imbalances. By rearranging government functions, the move might be aimed at empowering areas like the northeast, promoting financial equalization, and supporting regional advancement. This speaks with wider styles within public administration about the allowance of public resources and local development, drawing interest to the impact and goals of such moving efforts in time.