MSPs are to receive allowances of up to £2,500 to pay for security upgrades to their homes following a safety review ordered after the death of Sir David Amess.

The Scottish Parliament said £2,000 would be made available to each of its 129 members for security upgrades with a further £500 for improvements to their accommodation in Edinburgh.

Any home improvements will be authorised if based on security reviews carried out by Police Scotland.

However, a survey found there was not wide support among MSPs for security guards to be made available when they meet constituents at surgeries, with more than three quarters of those who responded rejecting the idea.

The most common reason was fears over the “perceived impact on access to parliamentarians” and a desire to preserve an open relationship with constituents. Only one in 10 said they would be “definitely interested” in having access to guards.

An email sent to MSPs on Friday said: “The survey response indicates only a modest interest for such a service. Officials will, however, carry out market research into whether a small demand or call-off service could be feasible.  Officials will report back once the market research is completed to consider next steps.”

The killing of Sir David, who was MP for Southend West, while he held a constituency surgery in October provoked debate over public access to politicians. Similar security reviews are being conducted for Westminster, Stormont and the Senedd.

MSPs have been told that trials of software that would automatically identify online threats which could be escalated to police are under way.

Politicians and staff are also to be offered training on the “theory, knowledge and soft skills needed to manage and de-escalate tensions when meeting constituents”.