Sir Keir Starmer will face the first by-election challenge of this Parliament in May following the assault conviction of ex-MP Mike Amesbury for punching a constituent.
The poll in Runcorn and Helsby will be the first major test of public opinion following last summer’s general election.
It will take place on May 1, coinciding with the local elections, Halton Borough Council confirmed on Thursday.
Amesbury won the seat last year with a majority of 14,696 over Reform UK.
The former Labour MP decided to stand down rather than face a recall petition after he received a 10-week prison sentence, suspended on appeal, for punching a constituent last year.
Amesbury, who was suspended by the Labour Party following his arrest, admitted assaulting Paul Fellows, 45, after an altercation in the street in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of October 26.
Labour, the Conservatives, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats have all announced their candidates for the election.
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