The regional winners are:

• Bell Group (Scotland)
• Connolly Limited (North West of England)
• Wates (North East and central)
• MD Group (South West)
• Novus Property Solutions (South East)

Places for People’s Mark Arnold said: “We call ourselves the UK’s leading social enterprise, and our new major works investment programme and contractor framework is the embodiment of that.

“A departure from fragmented, inefficient relationships of old, it allows us to deliver works at scale – delivering upgrades that help customers combat prevalent macro-economic challenges like energy prices, while also contributing to opportunities within their local community.”

Each contractor has committed to targets to deliver social value across Places for People communities in the next four years.

The result will be 200 apprenticeships, 1,750 training places, 850 work experience places and 9,700 volunteer hours. The contractors will also donate materials and labour for community refurbishment projects, run DIY workshops for customers, and donate financially to local causes.

Arnold said: “We have a proud and longstanding track record of working collaboratively with our supply chain to the benefit of our customers.

“Our new framework formalises this approach, with a sustainable commercial model that even in its first year, will result in almost 10% of construction cost savings that is already being invested in community initiatives.”