cleanbowtie
I know this isn't exactly a solution to your problem, but there are some phone cases that hold cards at the back.
Some of them are a bit fiddly or bulky but there are a few that I quite like.
I don't know what Pixel you have but here (on Amazon UK, though have I removed all the tracking parameters from the link) is an example of one for the Pixel 8 Pro that holds 2 cards (so I would put something like drivers license, or anything non NFC, at the back and your chosen debit/credit card at the front) and you can literally just slide the back open slightly with your thumb and tap to pay without having to even take your card out. When the back is closed it blocks NFC.
There are a few others that are similar but I've only tried the above one.
I ended up signing up to Curve Pay just to have the option in case I needed it one day. But I get your frustration, it's a real shame no UK banks seem to do it natively.
Again, I know the case thing isn't a proper solution but I thought I'd suggest it, just on the off-chance you hadn't considered it.