Nationwide is the UK's biggest BS and didn't need any government support. Best of all, Nationwide UK is covered by the British compensation scheme.
nationwide.co.uk/mediacentre/PressRelease_this.asp?ID=1368
"Nationwide UK (Ireland) is a branch of Nationwide Building Society. Nationwide Building Society is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the UK. Nationwide UK (Ireland) is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the United Kingdom, which was established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to pay compensation if a firm is unable, or likely to be unable, to pay claims against it. Payments under the FSCS are limited to a maximum of £50,000 or euro equivalent per individual (or £100,000 if a joint account), that is 100% of the first £50,000 of an investor’s total shares and/or deposits. Most investors are covered, including individuals and small firms. Although most shares and deposits in UK building societies are denominated in sterling, the euro and other European Economic Area currencies are covered. Individual customers are restricted to one maximum amount of £50,000 across an organisation. Further details are available at fscs.org.uk"