I've got the dash loose but when I've tried to take off the ignition barrel there are two (I'm guessing) brass, gold coloured bolts just above the barrel and under the column on the left which I've tried to get off but the socket is just eating them! I started with a 3/8 ratchet and it wouldn't budge so I moved straight to a breaker bar and it has started to round the bolts so I've stopped. I don't need the part (spares car) so I'm thinking I might have to grind them off but I thought I'd check here to see if there is a specific way to get them off, or an easy way to get the dash past the ignition barrel?

The hex nuts you're trying to undo are captive nuts, which they bolt into. No amount of leverage will work (well not as you think it will and more likely to damage the bracket). Don't worry I did the same the first time I took my dash out.
The other end of the brass bolts have a 'coned head', this is what you need to undo.
To undo it you can grab them with some mole grips, irwin sockets (which are handy anyway) or try and tap them loose with punch/screwdriver + hammer. Standard anti-clockwise direction.

If you're confused I can take a picture for you

No that's fine I understand exactly what you mean. This makes so much sense now. Thank you very much.