my partner has just recieved a letter saying he owes �264.00 that he had in 1995 when he was claiming dole for a short time is he still liable to pay this
Yes he is still liable to pay this. Monies owed to the government for benefits never just "go away", and no matter how much time has passed you still owe them. As they can take it out of any future benefits you get (or reduce the amount of benefits by the amount he owes) he may as well arrange to pay it now, while he is working, rather than wait till things are dire and still have this debt hanging over him