Have I gotten confused or is this a significant difference in the meaning of a clearance between US and UK.
No, I think the only thing that's confused is FODCOM 25/04 and ATSIN 53, which give advice that specifically contradicts MATS Part 1.
A clearance to a point beyond a runway
does authorise the aircraft to cross the runway.
In the UK, ATC is
required to provide explicit instructions to cross intervening runways in those circumstances. As a belt-and-braces approach, if the crew does not hear those explicit instructions to cross, it should request clarification. But it doesn't change the meaning of the clearance.
I don't think goddammit's original concern is warranted, though it's a good issue to raise. The omission of "hold short" does not change the clearance, which is defined by the holding point.
Examples: (A1 is beyond runway 23, A2 is short of it)
Taxi to holding point A1, cross runway 23.
Taxi to A1 crossing 23 on the way
Taxi to holding point A2, cross runway 23.
Query the instruction: it's inconsistent
Taxi to holding point A1, hold short of runway 23.
Query the instruction: it's inconsistent
Taxi to holding point A2, hold short of runway 23.
Taxi to A2 and hold short of 23
Taxi to holding point A1.
Query the instruction: you expected a "cross runway 23".
Taxi to holding point A2.
Taxi to A2 and hold short of 23. ATC doesn't have to include an explicit "hold short".