The SNP-led Fife Council has said it will freeze council tax payments until 2011, less than a month before the Westminster by-election for the Glenrothes seat is held.

The commitment was unveiled by council leader Peter Grant, who is standing as the SNP's parliamentary candidate following the death of Labour MP John MacDougall in August.

Following last year's election the SNP agreed a deal to prevent any immediate increases in council tax, but this settlement may come under pressure from council leaders as their finances tighten. Glasgow Council is reportedly seeking to negotiate more funding through COSLA.

"The SNP is on the side of people in Fife who will be increasingly concerned about the rising costs of their bills this winter. Where fuel, food and energy bills have risen dramatically over the last year the SNP has been keeping other costs down by freezing the council tax, reducing prescription charges, abolishing the tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges and reducing business rates – with more reductions to come," Grant said.

"Not only is the SNP planning to continue the council tax freeze, keeping your council tax bill down to last year's prices, the SNP is also determined to see the unfair council tax abolished.

"On every doorstep I am hearing the problems people are having meeting the cost of their fuel bills. The SNP is doing what we can to reduce household costs, it's time the Labour Government in London did the same to bring down energy bills and give a fair deal to the people of Fife," he added.

SNP Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "It is clear on the doorsteps that Gordon Brown is out of touch with his refusal to take real action to cut energy bills in Fife this winter. In contrast the SNP and Peter Grant are on your side, helping to put more money in your pocket this year and for the years to come."

Following Labour's loss to the SNP in the Glasgow East by-election many commentators had strongly backed the Nationalists to win in Glenrothes. This was seen as particularly concerning to Gordon Brown, whose own constituency borders the central Fife seat.

However, as the country has been gripped by the worsening economic situation backing for Brown has steadied in many polls, leading to suggestions that his candidate Lindsay Roy – head teacher of Brown's old school – may be able to hold the seat.